Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alexander Cordes Author-Name: Birgit Gehrke Title: China and Germany in knowledge-intensive high-tech sectors Abstract: China?s economic development encompasses an improvement of its technological basis and an increasing share in the global trade of high-tech goods. Regarding the velocity of development, though, it is questionable as to the extent to which China has become an equal competitor for developed countries (DC) specialized in R&D-intensive goods. In this paper, we retrace China?s technological catching-up process and attempt to analyze the implications for Germany as one of the largest exporters in this sector. By means of selected indicators of technological input (e.g. publications, FDI purposes) and trade performance (revealed comparative advantage, inter- and intra-industrial trade, unit value) we complement the analysis with a quality dimension. Our results indicate that although China has recently succeeded Germany as the world export leader in high-tech goods, its expansion has not occurred at the cost of Germany?s position. However, this finding is not applicable to the US, which has lost quality advantages relative to both China and Germany, thus indicating that Germany might be a special case in an international comparison. Classification-JEL: F14, O3 Keywords: Cina, Germania, commercio, beni high-tech, unit? di valore Note: Pages:5-25 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49961&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anna Bottasso Author-Name: Chiara Piccardo Title: Export activity and firm heterogeneity: a survey of the empirical evidence for Italy Abstract: The aim of this study is to discuss the empirical literature which analyzes the relationship between firms heterogeneity and export activity on Italian manufacturing firm level data. We first present a short review of the main empirical techniques adopted in the applied literature and we briefly summarize the most relevant theoretical models. In the following sections, we survey studies investigating which firms characteristics are more likely to favour the exporting activity and papers which address the impact of exporting on firm performance. Most studies suggest that more productive and innovative firms are more likely to enter international markets and exhibit higher export intensity; moreover, future exporters start performing better some years before entering international markets and such differential are persistent over time. Possible further extensions and policy implications of the empirical findings are finally discussed. Classification-JEL: F1, D2, L2 Keywords: Esportazioni, performance di impresa, eterogeneit?, rassegna, Italia Note: Pages:27-61 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49962&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Valeria Gattai Title: The dragon and the elephant on the way to Italy Abstract: This paper provides original evidence about Chinese and Indian outward direct investment (ODI) in Italy. Firm-level data have been collected through survey interviews involving the whole population of Dragon and Elephant multinationals. With a response rate of 80%, we draw a detailed profile of the parent companies and investigate their main drivers, entry modes, and satisfaction with the local operations. Classification-JEL: F23, O53 Keywords: Investimenti diretti all?estero, India, Cina, Italia Note: Pages:63-87 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49963&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mario F. Benassi Author-Name: Gidion T. Geenen Title: Extracting value from ipr through patent brokerage Abstract: We investigate the role of patent brokers in creating and extracting value from patents. Based on theoretical discussions, distinctive patent market conditions are associated with specific benefits of patent brokers. We provide a conceptual model to frame the role of patent brokers. We identify patent market dimensions that are likely to affect broker selection and argue why companies should carefully select patent brokers. We conclude with an outline of implications and suggestions for empirical research design in this field. Classification-JEL: M10, O34 Keywords: Innovazione, gestione dei brevetti, estrazione di valore, modalit? di governance, brokeraggio Note: Pages:89-116 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49964&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Elisa Villani Title: How external support may mitigate the barriers to university-industry collaboration Abstract: Although university-industry collaboration has been analyzed following different perspectives and approaches, some aspects are still scant and unexplored. This article assesses, by referring to an inductive, exploratory case study of technology transfer offices (henceforth TTOs), how external support may affect university-industry collaboration, and what characteristics both parties and intermediary units might facilitate in the success of this relationship. We considered two of the most active TTOs in Italy, namely Politecnico of Torino and University of Bologna, using various documents and twenty-five semistructured interviews with academics, CEOs? and TTOs? employees. Tapping the subdivision identified by Van Dierdonck and Debackere (1988), different barriers to universityindustry collaboration, pointed out by respondents, are proposed. Additionally, our findings revealed previously underexplored aspects about TTOs? support to university-industry relationships. In particular, we argue that university-industry collaboration is more likely to succeed if parties resort to external support (such as that of TTOs), and if specific characteristics of both parties and TTOs subsist. A summarizing model is proposed. Classification-JEL: M100, M190 Keywords: Collaborazione universit?-impresa, TTO, trasferimento tecnologico, caso studio Note: Pages:117-145 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49965&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Massimiliano Vatiero Title: Law, transaction costs and coase?s institutions. A reappraisal Abstract: The main contribution of Coase1 is having proven that no institution is a free lunch (among others, Pagano, 2012). It means that every institution (e.g. the market and the firm) has non-null costs of functioning, i.e. transaction costs. In a world with positive transaction costs, the policy-making process has to rest on a meticulous comparative analysis of alternative institutional arrangements. In this respect, Ronald Coase has defined and developed a theory of choices among institutional solutions. The aim of this brief work is to highlighting, therefore, the strict correlation among transaction costs, institutions and law. Classification-JEL: K11, B52, D21 Keywords: Ronald Coase, istituzione, azienda, mercato, costi di transazione Note: Pages:147-154 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49966&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Martina Pasquini Title: Filling the funding gap: university-oriented seed funds in Europe Abstract: This study addresses the problem of the funding gap that characterizes technology transfer activities by investigating a particular type of financial instrument, namely, university-oriented seed funds (USFs) that seek to sustain technology transfer and spin-offs from universities and public research centers. In addition to defining and classifying the investment focus and possible linkages and collaborations of universities and research centers, this study offers empirical evidence about these funds in comparison with others and their portfolio companies. Data pertaining seventy-three USFs and a matched control group of two hundred and eight venture capital funds, with one thousand five hundred and twenty-six portfolio companies (six hundred and fifty USF-backed, eight hundred and seventy-six non-USF-backed) shed light on the characteristics of each type of funds and related companies. The results also suggest key implications for practice and avenues for further research. Classification-JEL: G23, G24 Keywords: Fondi di investimento, capitale di rischio, funding gap, spin-off accademici, commercializzazione della tecnologia Note: Pages:155-172 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49967&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004007 Number: 7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Giancarlo Giudici Author-Name: Massimiliano Guerini Author-Name: Cristina Rossi-Lamastra Title: Crowdfunding in Italy: state of the art and future prospects Abstract: The article presents the status of the crowdfunding market in Italy and discusses its future prospects. After defining the crowdfunding phenomenon and highlighting its main elements, we present the results from the Italian Crowdfunding Observatory, managed by the three authors at the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering of Politecnico of Milano. Classification-JEL: G20, G23 Keywords: Crowdfunding, crowdfunding platforms, crowdfunding projects Note: Pages:173-188 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49968&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004008 Number: 8 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Leandro D'Aurizio Author-Name: Marco Marinucci Title: L?innovazione delle imprese italiane tra il 2008 e il 2010? italian firms? innovation strategies in 2008-2010 Abstract: The paper describes the innovation strategies of a representative sample of Italian firms participating to the Bank of Italy?s yearly survey. The evidence covers the 2008- 2010 period and highlights some stylized facts widely discussed in the economic literature. Results show that the activity of R&D is carried out within the firm, basically self-financed and it is more intense among bigger firms settled in central and northern Italy. On the other hand, public funding of R&D does not seem able to influence the firms? decision of undertaking the innovation process. Even though R&D expenditure and innovation activity are highly correlated, managerial best practices tend to be positively associated with R&D expenditure but to a lesser extent with the firms? ability to introduce an innovation. Moreover, exporting firms have a higher propensity both to invest in R&D and to patent their intellectual property. Finally, the survey shows that the most relevant obstacles for Italian firms to innovate are the high setup costs and the lack of skilled research personnel. Classification-JEL: O31, O32, L25 Keywords: Ricerca e sviluppo, innovazione Note: Pages:189-219 Volume: 2013/4 Year: 2013 Issue:4 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=49969&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:polipo:v:html10.3280/POLI2013-004009 Number: 9