Title: KIBS and innovation in machine tool manufacturers. Evidence from the Basque Country

Authors: Jean Pierre Seclen; Jon Barrutia

Addresses: Department of Management, Pontifical University Catholic of Peru, University Avenue 1801, San Miguel, Lima, Peru ' Faculty of Economics and Business, University of the Basque Country, Lehendakari Aguirre Avenue 83, Bilbao, Spain

Abstract: The machine tool industry, insofar as it has a classical industrial component and a more modern one incorporating transversal technologies of innovation is representative of the innovative tension as a source of competitiveness for advanced manufacturing. KIBS can play an important role in promoting innovation in manufacturers since they support clients in their innovation process. Our results show that a relationship with KIBS provides firms with innovation outcomes and promote their internationalisation processes. However, there are differences owing to the size of the firm. Basically, the small manufacturers have relationship with KIBS to compensate and fill the gap their knowledge and skills, while larger ones reinforce their know-how, by carrying it out internally. The comparative analysis is carried out based on sequential methodological triangulation as there is just a small sample of 52 machine tool manufacturers.

Keywords: KIBS; innovation outcomes; machine tool industry; size of the firm.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2018.095808

International Journal of Business Environment, 2018 Vol.10 No.2, pp.112 - 131

Received: 10 May 2018
Accepted: 04 Jun 2018
Published online: 22 Oct 2018 *

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