Assessing innovative behaviour of firms: an attempt to reveal path dependency effects

摘要

The article is targeted to explain similarities and differences in innovative behaviour of Estonian industries by their previous development or path dependency matters. Path dependency of industries expressed by their dynamic capabilities is causing different upgrading strategies involving various types of innovative behaviour. The analysis of innovative behaviour is based on the data from the Estonian Community Innovation Survey covering the years 2002-2004. Indicators of innovation behaviour were divided into three groups - input, process and outcome indicators. With the help of factor analysis the whole set of innovation indicators was compressed into eight synthetic factors. Dynamic aspects of path dependency were assessed by the level and growth of value added per employee and the industries were grouped according to this indicator into four groups. Based on factor analysis, synthetic factors reflecting innovation inputs, process and outcomes were created and analysed across industry groups.