Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Erika Kraemer-Mbula Author-X-Name-First: Erika Author-X-Name-Last: Kraemer-Mbula Author-Name: Edward Lorenz Author-X-Name-First: Edward Author-X-Name-Last: Lorenz Author-Name: Lotta Takala-Greenish Author-X-Name-First: Lotta Author-X-Name-Last: Takala-Greenish Author-Name: Oluseye Oladayo Jegede Author-X-Name-First: Oluseye Oladayo Author-X-Name-Last: Jegede Author-Name: Tukur Garba Author-X-Name-First: Tukur Author-X-Name-Last: Garba Author-Name: Musambya Mutambala Author-X-Name-First: Musambya Author-X-Name-Last: Mutambala Author-Name: Timothy Esemu Author-X-Name-First: Timothy Author-X-Name-Last: Esemu Title: Are African micro- and small enterprises misunderstood? Unpacking the relationship between work organisation, capability development and innovation Abstract: Mainstream studies on innovation consider innovation processes as necessarily driven by expenditures on formal R%D and the input of engineers and scientists with third-level degrees. This bias in the literature has led to the view that micro- and small enterprises (MSEs), which constitute the majority of Africa's enterprise base, are non-innovative. Building on an existing critique largely emerging from developing countries, this study provides evidence that, despite their lack of formal R%D expenditures, MSEs in Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda are in fact active innovators. The paper argues that the mainstream literature fails to capture important dynamics and practices that are central to innovation in MSEs. Arguing that the way work activity is organised is closely linked to learning, capability development and, ultimately, innovation, the paper unpacks the relationships between these three processes with evidence from MSEs in the four African countries. The empirical findings demonstrate that an important basis for the innovativeness of African MSEs is the adaptability of employees and their ability to learn on the job and to make use of their own ideas in solving the problems they face in work. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 1-30 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: innovation; micro- and small enterprises; MSEs; Africa; work organisation; learning; capability building; informal economy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97411 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:1-30 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shellyanne Wilson Author-X-Name-First: Shellyanne Author-X-Name-Last: Wilson Title: Export competitiveness and industrial development: a study of an apparel value chain in a small island developing state Abstract: This paper examines how the implementation of vertical policies for apparel value chains in small island developing states (SIDS) impacts export competitiveness. A causal loop diagram was the basis of the preliminary conceptual framework, which was studied in a single case study of the Trinidad and Tobago apparel industry. The framework comprised three key elements: factors that affect competitiveness, vertical policy instruments and the beneficiaries of these policies. Six vertical policies implemented over a ten-year period were considered. The findings show that, while the vertical policies implemented are in keeping with prescribed instruments, export competitiveness has declined. The policy implications include the need for an overarching objective informing policies; the need for coherent policy making that considers the beneficiaries and the required skill-set, and the critical inputs by value chain actors, private sector and public sector to increase export competitiveness by way of GVC participation and GVC upgrading. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 31-55 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: apparel value chain; industrial development; export competitiveness; GVC participation; GVC upgrading; small island developing states; SIDS. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97428 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:31-55 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rajah Rasiah Author-X-Name-First: Rajah Author-X-Name-Last: Rasiah Author-Name: Xiao-Shan Yap Author-X-Name-First: Xiao-Shan Author-X-Name-Last: Yap Title: How much of Raymond Vernon's product cycle thesis is still relevant today: evidence from the integrated circuits industry Abstract: Vernon's product cycle thesis has increasingly been questioned as industries experienced differentiation and dispersal of production stages, while the need for proximity for interactions to take place between scientists and engineers, and consumers ended following the introduction of computerised inventory and production, and planning systems. This paper re-examines this thesis using the integrated circuits (IC) industry. The results show that IC multi-nationals have continued to retain frontier R%D and wafer fabrication activities at locations endowed with strong human capital and research centers. However, IC firms are attracted to relocate frontier R%D activities in distant host-sites, such as USA, Japan, Spain, Germany, Russia and Israel that are endowed with sophisticated science, technology and innovation infrastructure, and scientists and engineers. Also, IC manufacturing is too knowledge-intensive to be attracted to the least developed countries. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 56-77 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: product cycle; multi-national corporations; human capital; R%D; integrated circuits; science; technology and innovation infrastructure. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97435 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:56-77 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nima Garoosi Mokhtarzadeh Author-X-Name-First: Nima Garoosi Author-X-Name-Last: Mokhtarzadeh Author-Name: Maryam Faghei Author-X-Name-First: Maryam Author-X-Name-Last: Faghei Title: Technological learning in inter-firm collaborations: a review and research agenda Abstract: Based on the rapid pace of technological changes in the present era, many organisations have come to the conclusion that they have no choice other than cooperating with each other in order to gain knowledge. Technological learning in inter-firm collaboration has turned into a necessity for many organisations. However, organisations have a rudimentary knowledge about its process and the way it materialises. In this review, in order to understand the process of technological learning better, papers with the following characteristics are searched for: 1) they should discuss the process of technological learning; 2) they should have inter-firm collaboration as the level of analysis for their models. As a result, six models were found which are investigated here. First, each of the models is introduced. Then, the level and the definition of technological learning are discussed based on the model. Different models approximately imply the same definition of inter-firm technological learning, however, the level of technological learning in them is different. This review highlights directions for future research with the aim of advancing the literature on inter-firm technological learning. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 78-96 Issue: 1 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: technological learning; technological capability; inter-firm collaborations; alliances; technology transfer; technological knowledge; knowledge absorption; knowledge creation; inter-firm learning. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97436 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:78-96 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nazeem Mustapha Author-X-Name-First: Nazeem Author-X-Name-Last: Mustapha Author-Name: Lwando Kondlo Author-X-Name-First: Lwando Author-X-Name-Last: Kondlo Title: A new approach to R%D intensity classes illustrated on manufacturing industries in South Africa Abstract: This paper examines the suitability and usefulness of OECD definitions and cut-off levels for classes of R%D intensity as a classification scheme for developing countries. Previous applications relied on arbitrary choices of cut-off levels for technology classes and considerations of stability over time. Hierarchical clustering was used for determining the members and boundaries of the R%D intensity classes, using data for the manufacturing sector on South Africa. The proposed approach identified the electronics communications sector as the only high R%D intensity industry, and it determines that only two R&D intensity classes were evident between 2010 and 2015 in South Africa. The results suggest that there is currently no high-tech industry in South Africa, and that a strategy that seeks simply to promote the export growth of such sectors is naïve. The point is that, since its conception, technology class has been context specific. The results afford policymakers with the opportunity to track South Africa's competitive knowledge economy subsectors with respect to any macro-economic quantity. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 97-118 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: research and development; R%D; innovation management; R%D intensity classes; manufacturing; developing economy; technological taxonomy; innovation policy; science policy; high technology; technological upgrading; South Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99224 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:97-118 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Manuella Pereira Da Silva Author-X-Name-First: Manuella Pereira Da Author-X-Name-Last: Silva Author-Name: Gilberto De Martino Jannuzzi Author-X-Name-First: Gilberto De Martino Author-X-Name-Last: Jannuzzi Title: Technology transfer and technological capability: the regulator's role in the adoption of solar photovoltaics in Brazil Abstract: The adoption of a new technology is highly associated with human capital, support infrastructure and research and development activities. This paper aims to analyse the technology transfer process and the internal technological capabilities building of power companies in the solar photovoltaics (PV) sector. The research subjects were the electric power companies (proponents); research institutions (executors) and service and equipment suppliers that submit projects to the call of ANEEL for R%D Strategic Projects No. 013/2011. Analysing the development of these projects, it is possible to affirm that there was a need for a learning process to understand, use and replicate the technology, including the ability to choose and adapt to local conditions and integrate it with national technologies. In general, efforts have been identified to implement engineering projects, but this could not be characterised as a construction of a national technological capability in the Brazilian PV energy sector. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 119-139 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: technological knowledge; technology transfer; technological capability; learning mechanisms; research and development policy; R%D; energy policy; solar photovoltaic sector; renewable energy; Brazil. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99241 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:119-139 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jingyi Lin Author-X-Name-First: Jingyi Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Name: Monica Plechero Author-X-Name-First: Monica Author-X-Name-Last: Plechero Title: Global innovation networks for Chinese high-tech small and medium enterprises: the supportive role of highly skilled migrants and returnees Abstract: Literature investigating highly skilled Chinese migrants has so far focused on their role as drivers of new entrepreneurship as well as innovation in firms and regions, although their role in supporting small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) engagement in global innovation networks (GINs) is still underexplored. The participation in GINs is a key for high-tech SMEs, which rely on sophisticated knowledge but may not have the same absorptive capacity of large firms and multinational corporations. Based on primary data from a case study on 19 SMEs in the IT and new media industry in Beijing, this paper investigates the role of returnees and highly skilled migrants in supporting the engagement of Chinese high-tech SMEs in GINs. The results reveal the important role of those individuals in bringing SMEs in former international knowledge networks and establishing new linkages for sourcing key knowledge. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 140-154 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: global innovation networks; GIN; knowledge sourcing; small and medium enterprises; SMEs; Beijing; China; highly skilled migrants; returnees; IT; new media industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99252 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:140-154 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Caijiang Zhang Author-X-Name-First: Caijiang Author-X-Name-Last: Zhang Author-Name: Lu Chen Author-X-Name-First: Lu Author-X-Name-Last: Chen Title: R%D subsidies and R%D expenditure in China: do financing constraints play intervening roles? Abstract: In response to the state of R%D and financing in China, we conducted an empirical study using unbalanced panel data of Chinese listed growth enterprises market (GEM) companies from 2010 to 2017, in order to investigate how R%D subsidies affect R%D expenditure. We find that R%D subsidies can crowd in R%D expenditure, and that financing constraints play intervening roles in the relationship between R%D subsidies and R%D expenditure. The study further implies that R%D subsidies can better ease financing constraints and better crowd in R%D expenditure of enterprises located in innovative cities. We also find that, in China, there is room for enhancing the easing effect of R%D subsidies on financing constraints. In line with our estimation results, we suggest that the Chinese Government provide more R%D subsidies, adjust its R%D subsidy strategy, develop science and technology banks, improve the country's capital market, and enact more preferential policies for R%D. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 155-184 Issue: 2 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: R%D subsidies; R%D expenditure; intervening effect; financing constraints; Chinese listed GEM companies. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99253 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:155-184 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hussain Ali Bekhet Author-X-Name-First: Hussain Ali Author-X-Name-Last: Bekhet Author-Name: Nurul Wahilah Abdul Latif Author-X-Name-First: Nurul Wahilah Abdul Author-X-Name-Last: Latif Title: Validating the dynamic relationship between technological innovation and economic growth in Malaysia Abstract: Technological innovation is a dynamic growth factor to achieve sustainable development. This study aims to explore the long- and short-run relationship between technological innovation and Malaysia's sustainable growth from 1980 to 2015. Augmented Cobb-Douglas production function is used to scale the technological innovation and economic growth link. The <i>F</i>-bounds test and VECM Granger causality are employed. The dynamic relationships among the gross domestic product, capital, employment, electricity consumption, technological innovation, technological innovation squared and governance institution quality variables; and the nonlinear relationship between technological innovation and economic growth are studied. The study confirms the existence of long-run relationship among the variables and the link between technological innovation and economic growth has an inverted U-shape. Also, technological innovation, technological innovation squared, and governance institution quality Granger-cause economic growth in the long and short run, together with capital, employment and electricity consumption. Therefore, continuous plans and policies are very much needed to drive technological innovation evolution in Malaysia, so the tide is slowly turning. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 185-214 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: technological innovation; governance institution quality; elasticity; Granger causality; sustainable growth; Malaysia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102674 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:185-214 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lura Rexhepi Mahmutaj Author-X-Name-First: Lura Rexhepi Author-X-Name-Last: Mahmutaj Author-Name: Berim Ramosaj Author-X-Name-First: Berim Author-X-Name-Last: Ramosaj Author-Name: Besnik A. Krasniqi Author-X-Name-First: Besnik A. Author-X-Name-Last: Krasniqi Title: Exploring driving factors and challenges of innovation in service firms: evidence from Kosovo Abstract: Today, successful implementation of innovation within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been a subject of great interest among authors. The purpose of this study is to explore the driving factors and challenges of innovation in the context of SMEs in the service sector. This study follows qualitative research with 21 SMEs in Kosovo from the service sector. Using NVivo software, our findings suggest that the main drivers of innovation are innovation budget, employees' skills, top management support and dealing with employees' resistance to change. On the other hand, the main challenges, which may impede SMEs to innovate comprise of cost-related factors, market conditions, as well as lack of skilled human resources. The results imply that human skills and technology acquisition, as well as government policies are important contextual factors to improve SMEs' innovation performance. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 215-244 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; innovation; service industry; Kosovo; qualitative study. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102675 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:215-244 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Atef Harb Author-X-Name-First: Atef Author-X-Name-Last: Harb Author-Name: Elie Baz Author-X-Name-First: Elie Author-X-Name-Last: Baz Author-Name: Abdallah Kassem Author-X-Name-First: Abdallah Author-X-Name-Last: Kassem Author-Name: Cesar Baena Author-X-Name-First: Cesar Author-X-Name-Last: Baena Title: A strategic assessment of the effects of project control systems on performance and outcomes. The case of ICT organisations Abstract: This paper investigates the type of controls needed in order to achieve a strategic and successful implementation of ICT projects. The use of instrumental and people-oriented control mechanisms was researched in order to assess the influence of each of those controls on the projects' outcomes. The role of the project controller was investigated as well. A phenomenological empirical approach based on primary data collected from a population of project managers was pursued. Purposive sampling was adopted. The results were analysed using the literature as a guiding prism of interpretation toward some focused areas of research, different hypotheses tested and accepted. This research found that the best combination for achieving optimal project control is to rely on both instrumental and people-oriented control mechanisms, specially adapted to each organisation's needs. Moreover, it concluded that the project controller is an important resource in the organisation and should play the role of a business advocate to the management. This research examined the use of new methods and the implementation of a new strategy in the field of project control as an extension to the conventional instrumental techniques. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 245-264 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: project control systems; project performance; information and communications technology; ICT; optimal project control; computer-based information systems; engineering concept; strategy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102679 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:245-264 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ibrahim Alnafrah Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Alnafrah Title: Dynamic structural comparison of BRICS national innovation systems based on machine learning techniques Abstract: This study aims at investigating the structural differences of NISs among BRICS countries to reveal the different functional patterns of these systems. Different Machine learning techniques are used of a set of variables that represent the main NISs dimensions. This study covers 50 countries, for 26 years. The results show that BRICS's NISs have different functional patterns in terms of economic, educational and infrastructural dimensions, where all BRICS countries, except India, perform well in comparison with other studied countries. On the other hand, all NISs of BRICS countries have the same functional patterns in terms of innovation and institutional dimensions, where all BRICS's NISs suffer from a low performance. The results also show that the performance of BRICS's NISs tends to diverge over time. This study introduces a novel approach to analyse and compare NISs structurally and dynamically enabling policy makers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their NISs. Journal: Int. J. of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development Pages: 265-290 Issue: 3 Volume: 11 Year: 2019 Keywords: national innovation system; BRICS; machine learning techniques; classification; clustering; functional patterns comparison; innovation policy; innovation strategy; structural comparison. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102681 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijtlid:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:265-290