Title: Absorptive capacity, innovation networks and products: SME in the Basque Country

Authors: Javier Castro Spila, Liliana Rocca, Andoni Ibarra, Imanol Pradales, Nagore Perez Vega, Carmen Mendez de Castro

Addresses: Sanchez-Mazas-Chair, University of the Basque Country, Avda. Tolosa 72, San Sebastian 20018, Spain. ' Sanchez-Mazas-Chair, University of the Basque Country, Avda. Tolosa 72, San Sebastian 20018, Spain. ' Sanchez-Mazas-Chair, University of the Basque Country, Avda. Tolosa 72, San Sebastian 20018, Spain. ' bizkaia:xede, Euraxess Local Contact Point (LoCP), Bizkaiko Teknologi Parkea, Laga Bidea Edificio 804 Modulo 300, Derio-Bizkaia 48160, Spain. ' bizkaia:xede, Euraxess Local Contact Point (LoCP), Bizkaiko Teknologi Parkea, Laga Bidea Edificio 804 Modulo 300, Derio-Bizkaia 48160, Spain. ' bizkaia:xede, Euraxess Local Contact Point (LoCP), Bizkaiko Teknologi Parkea, Laga Bidea Edificio 804 Modulo 300, Derio-Bizkaia 48160, Spain

Abstract: Innovation networks and knowledge clusterisation depends to a great extent on the capacity of companies to acquire and assimilate external knowledge. The capacity of business to absorb scientific knowledge is associated with the disciplinary profile of its human resources. To explore the relationship between disciplinary absorption capacity, networks and innovation products, we suggest the concept of critical mass in science and technology-oriented human resources and compare two types of companies distinguished by differences in the profile of their critical masses. The results show that a relation does exist between the discipline-related makeup of the critical mass, the types of products obtained and the types of partners in innovation networks.

Keywords: absorption capacity; critical mass; Basque Country; innovation networks; regional development; Spain; knowledge clusters; product types; partner types; human resources.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2010.033504

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2010 Vol.2 No.3, pp.182 - 197

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

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