Understanding innovation: An analysis of persistence for Spanish manufacturing firms

摘要

This study focuses on the persistence of innovation in a panel of Spanish manufacturing firms for the period 1990-2008. In particular, we analyse whether persistence in firms' innovation activities over time is the result of previous experience, the dynamic capabilities of the firm or industry-market related characteristics. We find that R&D (input) and innovation (output) are highly persistent at the firm level. After controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and initial conditions and by using a dynamic random effects probit, we conclude that there are similar determinants of persistence in R&D and innovative activities. Among external/environmental factors, market dynamism affects R&D and innovation. Regarding firm specific characteristics, size and outsourcing also have a positive impact on both processes. Past innovative behaviour is clearly more decisive in explaining the current state of R&D and innovation activities than external factors or firm-level heterogeneity.