European Regional Science Association
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European Regional Science Association
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The abstract for paper number 180:
Rosina Moreno, AQR Research Group
Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Javier Revilla, Geographisches Institut der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsgeographie, Kiel, Germany, Jordi Surinach, AQR Research Group
Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
The innovation system of Barcelona: The role of proximity and SMEs
In this paper we pursue to test the hypothesis that cooperation, both between firms and between firms and research institutions, can be considered a catalyst of innovation activity in which proximity plays a role. Theoretically, this hypothesis is based on the innovations systems concept. Innovation is considered as a systemic and complex process, which is not seen as a linear sequence as in the neoclassical view and does not depend on one single entrepreneur's decisions. Instead, it is accepted that innovation is a result of intensive interactions between different actors within and outside a firm and therefore depends heavily on relationships between the firm and its (regional and sectoral) environment.
The methodology used consists of a technological production function which is controlled in order to take into account the possibility that the effect of this cooperation depends on the size of the firm as well as on the type of cooperation, that is, with customers, suppliers or competitors. Once controlled, we follow the idea of checking whether the effect of cooperation is higher among local partners.
The data base used in this paper was elaborated within the European Regional Innovation Survey in which 11 European regions were analysed. Written questionnaires were sent to the most important actors in regional innovation systems, namely to manufacturing firms, producer services and research institutions, in order to analyse their innovative and networking activities. In this paper we analyse the manufacturing survey, covering 400 firms belonging to manufacturing sectors 15 – 36 according to the EU classification of economic activities (NACE).
Unfortunately full paper has not been submitted.