Analysis of sources of innovation, technological innovation capabilities, and performance: An empirical study of Hong Kong manufacturing industries

• Published in: Research policy Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 391 - 402
• Main Authors: Yam, Richard C.M., Lo, William, Tang, Esther P.Y., Lau, Antonio K.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2011; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Series: Research Policy
• Subjects: Economic activity; Empirical research; Enterprises; Firm innovation system; Firm theory; High technology; Hong Kong; Information management; Information sources; Information technology; Innovation; Knowledge-intensive business services; Manufacturers; R&D; Regional innovation system; Regional innovation system Firm innovation system Utilization of innovation sources Knowledge-intensive business services Technological innovation capabilities; Research & development; Research and development; Resource allocation; Studies; Technological change; Technological innovation capabilities; Utilization of innovation sources; Hong Kong China; China; Firm innovation system; Knowledge-intensive business services; Regional innovation system; Technological innovation capabilities; Utilization of innovation sources
• ISSN: 0048-7333; 1873-7625
• DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2010.10.013

The concept of the regional innovation system (RIS) has been developed into an important framework for evaluating innovation performance. The study reported in this paper explores the relationship between the RIS and the firm's innovation system (FIS) according to the basic premise that firms that better utilize sources of information (SI) available within their regional innovation system (RIS) perform better due effect this has in enhancing the firm's technological innovation capabilities (TICs). The different innovation capabilities of a firm are regarded as the key components of the firm's innovation system. The sources of information available within an RIS include external sources (EXT) and external expert organizations, the latter of which are referred to as knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS). This study also explores the dual role of KIBS as both sources of and bridges for innovation in the RIS. Data were obtained through a mailed survey using a self-administered questionnaire. The utilization concept and the dual role of KIBS were verified. The results show that externally available information affects all innovation capabilities of the firm, while external expert organizations affect only the firm's R&D and resources allocation capabilities. This study contributes to the RIS literature by providing empirical evidence on how firms can interact with the RIS by utilizing SI to enhance their TICs and achieve global competitiveness.