R& D, Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Chemical Industry explores the science & technology base and the dynamic performance of the European "system of innovation" in the chemical industry, with particular attention to its contribution to economic growth through innovation and competitiveness, and its ability to translate its research into commercially useful products. It also analyses the forces that encourage the diffusion of chemical innovations on downstream user industries and among large and small firms. The studies presented in this book represent an analysis of the issues and questions raised by the Green Paper on Innovation presented by the European Commission, for the specific case of the European chemical industry.
R& D, Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Chemical Industry will be of interest to industry and government experts related to the chemical industry, scholars; both faculty and graduate students interested in growth, corporate strategy and the management of innovation.

Recently, attempts have been made to understand the patterns of corporate technological diversification and their implications in economic and managerial dimensions. This book consolidates these attempts and breaks new ground by examining the patterns of technological diversification, and their relationship with internationalisation, economic performance, and inter-company alliances. Following an introduction and a survey of product and technological diversification, the book begins with a statistical analysis of technological diversification, and its links with internationalisation and alliances. It continues with a range of industry and company case studies, and an assessment of historical evidence. The book provides a systematic analysis of data, case studies, and other relevant material to understand this phenomenon. Contributors bring to bear significant experience with large data sets at the firm level on technological divesification and other strategic dimensions on which it has an impact. This book will be essential reading for students and researchers in the fields of economics, International Business, Business Strategy and Technology Management.

Recently, attempts have been made to understand the patterns of corporate technological diversification and their implications on economic and managerial dimensions. This book consolidates these attempts and breaks new ground, providing a systematic analysis of data and case-studies in its analysis of the phenomenon of technological diversification. Subjects discussed include product diversification, economic performance, internationalization, managerial and organisational issues, and strategic alliances. The international range of contributors and case-studies will appeal particularly to those interested in the EU research and policy.

This book was first published in 2004. National economic growth is fueled by the development of high technology clusters such as Silicon Valley. The contributors examine the founding of ten clusters that have been successful at an early stage of growth in information technology. Their key finding is that the economics of starting a cluster is very different from the positive feedback loop that sustains an established cluster. While 'nothing succeeds like success' in an established cluster, far more difficult, risky and unlikely are the initial conditions that give rise to successful clusters. The contributors find regularities in the start of the successful clusters studied, including Silicon Valley around 1964. These cases contain 'old economy' factors such as competencies, firm building capabilities, managerial skills, and connection to markets, more than the flamboyant 'new economy' factors that have been highlighted in prevailing years.

R&D, Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Chemical Industry explores the science & technology base and the dynamic performance of the European "system of innovation" in the chemical industry, with particular attention to its contribution to economic growth through innovation and competitiveness, and its ability to translate its research into commercially useful products. It also analyses the forces that encourage the diffusion of chemical innovations on downstream user industries and among large and small firms. The studies presented in this book represent an analysis of the issues and questions raised by the Green Paper on Innovation presented by the European Commission, for the specific case of the European chemical industry. R&D, Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Chemical Industry will be of interest to industry and government experts related to the chemical industry, scholars; both faculty and graduate students interested in growth, corporate strategy and the management of innovation.

Within the literature on industrial economics and innovation there have been surprisingly few attempts to build analytical frameworks that are based on the distinctive features and institutional characteristics of Europe, and especially of the European Union. This collection explains the organization and dynamics of innovative activities in Europe. Theoretical advances in the economics of technological innovation have been placed alongside empirical research relating to the interaction between the industrial structures of individual member nations and the linking regulations of the European Union. The team of distinguished international contributors includes Paul David and Nick Von Tunzelmann. The Organization of Economic Innovation in Europe is a significant addition to the literature on the economics of innovation and technology.

This book examines an important phenomenon for competitiveness and innovation in industry: namely the growing use of scientific principles in industrial research. Industrial innovation still arises from systematic trial-and-error experiments with many designs and objects, but these experiments are being guided by a more rational understanding of phenomena. This has important implications for market structure, firm strategies and competition. Science and Innovation focuses on the pharmaceutical industry. It discusses the changes that the notable advances in the life sciences since the 1980s have exerted on the strategies of drug companies, the organization of their internal research, their relationships with scientific institutions, the division of labour between large pharmaceutical firms and small research-intensive suppliers, the productivity of drug discovery and the productivity of R & D.

Within the literature on industrial economics and innovation there have been surprisingly few attempts to build analytical frameworks that are based on the distinctive features and institutional characteristics of Europe, and especially of the European Union. This collection explains the organization and dynamics of innovative activities in Europe. Theoretical advances in the economics of technological innovation have been placed alongside empirical research relating to the interaction between the industrial structures of individual member nations and the linking regulations of the European Union. The team of distinguished international contributors includes Paul David and Nick Von Tunzelmann. The Organization of Economic Innovation in Europe is a significant addition to the literature on the economics of innovation and technology.

This work examines an increasingly important phenomenon for competitiveness and innovation in industry: namely, the growing use of scientific principles in industrial research. Industrial innovation still arises from systematic trial-and-error experiments with many designs and objects, but these experiments are now being guided by a more rational understanding of phenomena. This has important implications for market structure, firm strategies and competition. Science and innovation focuses on the pharmaceutical industry. It discusses the changes that the notable advances in the life sciences since the 1980s have exerted on the strategies of drug companies, the organization of their internal research, their relationships with scientific institutions, the division of labour between large pharmaceutical firms and small research-intensive suppliers, the productivity of drug discovery and the productivity of R & D.

In 1980 the Indian software industry was practically non-existent. By the 1990s the industry was one of the largest employers in manufacturing. Similar patterns of growth can be found in other emerging economies. So given that the software industry is commonly viewed as a high-tech industry, how is it that such spectacular growth has occurred in countries where high-tech industries would not seem likely to develop? This book examines the reasons behind this phenomenon, and asks whether it suggests a new model of economic development. The contributors explore the implications of the rise of these newcomers to the software market for the global industry, and whether there are things to be learned about the role of human capital in economic growth, firm formulation and capabilities, business and managerial models and industry structure. Chapters include country studies on Brazil, China, India, Ireland and Israel and are complemented by cross-cutting chapters on some of the key issues highlighted by the groeth patterns of software in these nations, most notably the role of the multinational companies, the globalization of the skilled worker flows, and the formation of firm capabilities. The novelty of the growth patterns in the regions that studied makes this book useful for understanding analytical and empirical issues underlying new microfoundations of economic growth in some emerging regions of the world.

The essays in this volume probe the impact the digital revolution has had, or sometimes failed to have, on global business. Has digital technology, the authors ask, led to structural changes and greater efficiency and innovation? While most of the essays support the idea that the information age has increased productivity in global business, the evidence of a 'revolution' in the ways industries are organized is somewhat more blurred, with both significant discontinuities and features which persist from the 'second' industrial revolution.

The contributions to this study of the origins of centers of industrial and technological innovation (such as Silicon Valley) reveal that these concentrated "clusters" of entrepreneurial high tech firms are characterized by rapid economic growth. No other analysts have examined how such clusters start, although many earlier works have studied Silicon Valley. The study's contributors conclude that the key public and business policy elements of starting a cluster are common to many regions, countries, and time periods.

In 1980 the Indian software industry was practically non-existent. By the 1990s the industry was one of the largest employers in manufacturing. Similar patterns of growth can be found in other emerging economies. So given that the software industry is commonly viewed as a high-tech industry, how is it that such spectacular growth has occurred in countries where high-tech industries would not seem likely to develop? This book examines the reasons behind this phenomenon, and asks whether it suggests a new model of economic development. The contributors explore the implications of the rise of these newcomers to the software market for the global industry, and whether there are things to be learned about the role of human capital in economic growth, firm formulation and capabilities, business and managerial models and industry structure. Chapters include country studies on Brazil, China, India, Ireland and Israel and are complemented by cross-cutting chapters on some of the key issues highlighted by the groeth patterns of software in these nations, most notably the role of the multinational companies, the globalization of the skilled worker flows, and the formation of firm capabilities. The novelty of the growth patterns in the regions that studied makes this book useful for understanding analytical and empirical issues underlying new microfoundations of economic growth in some emerging regions of the world.