International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Innovation and performance among firms in Finland: The impact of firm-level characteristics  
  by Hannu Littunen, Jari Huovinen 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of firm-level characteristics together with the perfor-mance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) associated with the introduction of different types of innovation (product/process/market/organisational). The paper is based on data from 830 firms located in Finland, and describes the development of a model for testing the firm-level factors that increase the innovativeness of SMEs. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine asso-ciations between innovativeness and the different explanatory factors put forward. The results show that the creation of novel product and process innovation appears to be associated with manufactur-ing industry, but on the other hand the creation of market innovation is linked to the field of trade. Furthermore, we found that the creation of process innovation was related to the location of firms, and innovation activity appears to be more common in rural areas than in central regions. The results also show that the creation of product/process/market/organisational innovation is positively associ-ated with a firm's growth.
  Keywords: innovation; firm size; firm sector; location; SMEs; firm performance.
  
  
• Integrating civil society into regional innovation systems a social foresight lab approach  
  by Fabian Schroth, Hannah Glatte, Simone Kaiser 
  Abstract: In this article, we address the challenge of embedding local knowledge in non-spatially defined innovation systems. We argue that this can be achieved via the inclusion of local civil society in innovation processes. The local population has knowledge of local challenges and potential, and is capable of developing locally relevant ideas. Embedding this knowledge in innovation processes requires a special set of methods that enable local actors to gain access to innovation processes and develop ideas, formulate challenges and identify potential opportunities on equal footing with other innovation actors. In this paper, we present such an approach in the form of a social foresight lab, as used in the context of technology transfer in rural areas to facilitate the identification of local challenges and potential, the collaborative development of ideas, and the regional embedding of non-spatially defined innovation processes. The principles underlying the above are experimentation, collaboration and real-world embeddedness.
  Keywords: regional innovation system; quadruple helix; social foresight lab; participatory innovation process; civil society; rural areas.
  
  
• Bridging the Innovation System and Industry Development: Experiments from Northern Finland  
  by Henna Longi (née Hintsala), Sami Niemelä, Tero Leppänen 
  Abstract: As technological change has been identified as a one important driver of economic growth, the interest towards research, development, and innovation (RDI) has increased in academia and also in policy practices. However, a systemic analysis of innovation activities easily overlooks the role of the companies as key actors building the bridge between innovations and economic growth. Combining the analyses of innovation systems and entrepreneurial activities is important in ensuring the recognition of public and private stakeholders in regional development. This paper discusses the interplay of public and private sectors and concentrates on the companies and industry development in innovation systems. The case study in this article comes from the Oulu region in northern Finland. This paper aims at describing and analysing public-funded projects as links between RDI and business development.
  Keywords: regional innovation system; industry development; company engagement; RDI projects; regional development; regional policy.
  
  
• What factors influence the decision of entrepreneurs in choosing a business incubator?  
  by Luisa Carvalho, Adriana Backx Noronha, Márcio Mine 
  Abstract: Entrepreneurial attitude is not enough to start a new business and manage it in the long term. Start-ups needs to access knowledge about client needs and market evolution, as well as guaranteeing the technical and knowledge requirements and management skills of their owners. Often, start-ups reveal problems with asymmetric information that could be mitigated by a business incubator (BI). BIs can support new businesses, from creation through development and growth. This research aims to answer the follow research question: How is the decision-making of the incumbent firms influenced by the services and facilities offered by each BI? To achieve the objective of the research we used a sample of 39 start-ups incubated in Brazil and Portugal collected in Portugal (Lisbon) and Brazil (S
  Keywords: Business Incubator; Incubatees; Incumbent; Decision-Making Factors; Services and Facilities.
  
  
• Modifying the triple helix model of innovation: a lesson learned from Cimahi Techno Park in Indonesia  
  by Zulfika Satria Kusharsanto 
  Abstract: Collaborations with triple helix model between academia, government, and business have been an eminent approach to generate knowledge economy especially in regional development. Those practices are widely implemented in a science park, the centre where collaborations occur to commercialize research. Nonetheless, many countries have apparently not experienced similar result as suggested by the triple helix model. This is thought-provoking because the triple helix model in science park is globally encouraged regardless. With the case of Cimahi Techno Park in Indonesia, this study observes why the collaborations in science park can be maintained despite the existence of deviances. This study reveals that there are some compromises and modifications in the triple helix model to adjust innovation system with local conditions, such as involving universities for entrepreneurial consultation instead of research and altering science park as the catalyst of local economic development instead of as the hybrid organization.
  Keywords: collaborations; triple helix model; innovation; modification; Cimahi; science park.