How do innovation systems interact? Schumpeterian innovation in seven Australian sectors
Journal article, 2012

This paper analyses how and why different types of innovation systems interact through analysing seven Australian sectors. We find that there are sets of mechanisms or systems that 'articulate'; i.e. structure and shape the interaction among sectoral innovation systems and other types of innovation systems. Drawing on the Schumpeterian and evolutionary legacy, we contribute a theoretical explanation of how interaction among innovation systems influences innovation. First, this interaction enables and enhances variety creation by expanding the new combinations of knowledge and resources a firm can achieve. Second, it allows for more efficient and effective scaling up of useful knowledge recombination to achieve increasing returns. Empirically, this is supported in that the more successful sectors have active articulation systems with alignment with other systems, while weaker sectors have unplanned and patchy linkages. No simple model seems to explain successful articulation. However, important factors are active receptor firms with the motivation and capabilities to absorb and use resources from external systems, high quality and responsive education systems, and international linkages. Public research, labour markets, and intermediaries varied in importance.

Author

R. Dalitz

Western Sydney University

Magnus Holmén

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Innovation and R&D Management

D. Scott-Kemmis

The University of Sydney

University of Technology Sydney

Prometheus

0810-9028 (ISSN) 1470-1030 (eISSN)

Vol. 30 3 261-289

Subject Categories

Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified

DOI

10.1080/08109028.2012.716275

More information

Latest update

9/21/2023