Globalization and Technology Absorption in Europe and Central Asia : The Role of Trade, Fdi, and Cross-Border Knowledge Flows

by Goldberg, Itzhak; Branstetter, Lee; Goddard, John Gabriel; Kuriakose, Smita

• ISBN13: 9780821375839
• ISBN10: 0821375830
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-06-15
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

Innovation and cross-border absorption of knowledge are central forces behind economic convergence and sustained growth. Absorption of technology is considered a necessary step to promote the development of human capital and the productive base, paving the way for innovations at the global knowledge frontier. Research and development, patents, trade, and foreign direct investment are major channels of technological absorption, allowing diffusion of new ideas and manufacturing best practices among countries and firms. These channels constitute the central focus of this study.This study uses patent databases, surveys of enterprises, and case studies to investigate how the presence of specific channels of absorption molds decision making about technology. Trade and FDI flows show considerable promise as catalysts for the region to upgrade its technology and near the global technology frontier. Econometric analysis using enterprise surveys from all Europe and Central Asia countries helps us understand the conditions and policies that induce firms to incorporate external knowledge and technology into their overall growth strategies.We find evidence of learning by exporting, underscoring the importance of trade as a driver of absorption. A case study of several manufacturing firms in Serbia complements this perspective, providing a detailed picture of the positive dynamics that are produced by FDI, particularly in terms of investment and risk-taking incentives that are critical for technology absorption. Examination of patent citations shows that cross-border knowledge flows remain weak. Consequently, science and innovation policies should foster greater integration of the region's substantial science and engineering resources with those of the rest of the world. These policies should encourage international collaboration and closer connection between the region's public sector R&D and global private sector efforts.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Executive Summary	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Definition of Innovation and Knowledge Absorption	p. 1
Diffusion of Knowledge in Support of Productivity Growth: Literature Review	p. 2
Conceptual Framework: Economic Conditions and Capacities for Knowledge Absorption	p. 4
Patents as Indicators of Technological Activity in the ECA Region	p. 7
Patent Data Provide a View of the Knowledge Absorption Process	p. 7
Implications for Policy	p. 18
The Links among Knowledge Absorption, Trade, and FDI	p. 23
Trade and its Benefits	p. 24
Foreign Direct Investment	p. 31
Discussion of Results with Implications for Policy	p. 49
How Does FDI via Company Acquisition Impact Technology Absorption? A Case Study of Serbian Enterprises	p. 55
Investment Climate and Sequence of Mergers and Acqusitions, and Greenfield FDI	p. 57
The Background of the Serbian Privatization Program	p. 61
Policy Implications from Case Studies	p. 76
Appendixes	p. 81
Statistical Tables for Chapter 2	p. 83
Regression Variables Used in Chapter 3	p. 85
Questionnaire for Company Interviews	p. 87
Correlates of ICT and Quality Certification	p. 93
Bibliography	p. 115
List of Tables
Correlations of "Composite" Measure of Absorption with Firm Characteristics [+] positive correlation, [-] negative correlation	p. xix
Comparing the Effects of Privatization on FDI versus Domestically-owned Firms	p. xxi
Top 10 Russian Generators of U.S. Patents	p. 15
Trade Restrictiveness Indices	p. 27
Logistics Performance Indices, 2007	p. 30
Regression Results for New Product Introductions as Dependent Variable	p. 39
Regression Results for Product Upgrades as Dependent Variable	p. 42
Regression Results for Introduction of New Technology as Dependent Variable	p. 44
Linear Regression Results Based on a "Composite" Measure of Absorption	p. 46
Regression Results Based on Composite Measure of Absorption, Panel Data	p. 48
Results of the Serbian Privatization Program	p. 62
Revenue and Employment Trends Pre- and Post-acquisition	p. 65
Productivity Trends Pre- and Post-acquisition	p. 67
Financial Ratios Pre- and Post-acquisition	p. 69
Patent Citations in ECA and Comparator Regions	p. 83
Hypothesis Tests for Equality of Sample Means	p. 84
Definition of Variables Used in Regressions	p. 85
ISO Certification and Web Use across Sectors	p. 97
ISO Certification and Web Use, Firm Size, and Age	p. 98
ISO Certification and Web Use, Firm Ownership, and Trade Integration	p. 98
Variable Definitions	p. 102
Determinants of ISO Certification and Web Use-Cross-Sectional Regressions	p. 104
Determinants of Technology Adoption across Country Groups	p. 106
Determinants of ISO Certification and Web-Use-Panel Regressions	p. 108
List of Figures
U.S. Patents Granted per Million Population	p. xiii
U.S. Patent Grants for the ECA 7 vs. India and China	p. xiv
Indigenous Patents and Coinventions in ECA: 1993-2007	p. xv
Trade Restrictiveness Index (TRI), 2005-06	p. xvii
FDI Inflows as a Percentage of GDP, 2005	p. xviii
Innovation and Absorption as Inputs into Growth and Productivity	p. 5
ECA Region Patenting in the EPO	p. 9
ECA Patenting in Europe, by First Inventor Country of Residence	p. 10
ECA Coinvention by Partner Country	p. 11
U.S. Patent Grants for the ECA 7, India, and China	p. 12
The Expanding Role of International Coinvention in the ECA 7	p. 13
International Coinvention in Russia	p. 14
National Innovation Systems	p. 21
Overall Trade Restrictiveness Index-tariff (all goods), 2006	p. 28
Overall Trade Restrictiveness Index-tariff + non-tariff (all goods), 2006	p. 28
	p. 35
	p. 35
ISO Certification and Web Use across ECA Countries	p. 96
List of Boxes
Measuring the Impact of Trade and FDI on Technology Absorption	p. 34
New Foreign Competition: Lowering Profits and Raising Efficiency	p. 35
Methodology: Company Selection, Data Sources, Fieldwork	p. 63
A Closer Look at Productivity Trends	p. 68
Identification Strategy	p. 101
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.