Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Papers in Innovation Studies,
Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research

No 2014/20: Intermediaries and Regional Innovation Systemic behavior: A typology for Spain

Xabier Alberdi Pons (), Juan José Gibaja Martíns and Mario Davide Parrilli
Additional contact information
Xabier Alberdi Pons: Deusto Business School (DBS), Universidad de Deusto
Juan José Gibaja Martíns: Deusto Business School (DBS), Universidad de Deusto
Mario Davide Parrilli: Deusto Business School (DBS), Universidad de Deusto and DBS and Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness

Abstract: Interaction is a central feature of well-functioning and integrated Regional Innovation Systems. However, it does not necessarily occur in an automatic fashion, denoting the existence of various system problems that may block learning and other crucial innovation processes. “Intermediaries” are organizations that encompass an increasing role in overcoming these problems. Still, they have not been adequately framed and assessed. The paper meets this need and presents a number of developments. First, we identify and categorize intermediaries according to some specific Innovation System problems they tap into, while we also include them in a novel intermediary component. Second, we operationalize sets of quantitative variables that permit new preliminary assessments. This methodology also permits new empirical insights that help framing more specific policy tools. The empirical analysis roots on an ad hoc data exploitation stemming from various surveys conducted by the Spanish Official Statistical Institute (INE) and the Spanish Venture Capital Association (ASCRI). We conduct multivariate techniques such as Multiple Factor and Cluster Analysis. The methodology creates a new typology that sorts Spanish regions according to the presence -or absence- of intermediaries when dealing with system problems. We find dissimilar outputs across regions. The latter might demand that their intermediary components are provided with strategic recommendations in response to specific system requirements.

Keywords: regions; innovation systems; system problems; intermediaries; Spain; multiple factor analysis

JEL-codes: O18; R15; R50; R58

30 pages, October 3, 2014

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201420_Alberdi_et_al.pdf PDF-file 

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