Nature and impact of innovation in manufacturing industry: some evidence from the Italian innovation survey

摘要

Using data on more then 22,000 manufacturing firms participating to the second Italian Innovation Survey, fresh evidence is presented on the number of firms involved in innovation, the total expenditures devoted to innovation and the quantity and quality of innovating output. The most important innovation expenditures are investment in new machinery and R & D. The existence of major cross-industry differences are however confirmed. Within the group of innovating firms, the Small ones do not emerge less innovative than the large ones.