Innovation systems and ‘inertia’ in RD location Norwegian firms and the role of systemic lock-in 创新系统和研发地点的“惯性”：挪威公司和系统锁定的作用.pdfVIP

Research Policy 31 (2002) 795–816 Innovation systems and ‘inertia’ in RD location: Norwegian firms and the role of systemic lock-in Rajneesh Narula∗ Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK Centre), University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1108, Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway Received 24 July 2000; received in revised form 26 September 2000; accepted 3 July 2001 Abstract This paper seeks to enquire why firms—ceteris paribus—tend to concentrate their RD activities at home, using a systems of innovation (SI) approach. We argue that RD inertia is associated with structural inertia and resultant systemic lock-in. Interaction within an SI is a self-reinforcing mechanism which may or may not lead to ex post efficiency. Lock-in can be efficient when technologies and institutions maintain the competitiveness of firms. On the other hand, radical innovations or technological discontinuities may require new institutions and resources, but systemic lock-in may prevent rapid reaction. Firms can use a ‘voice’ strategy by intervening to modify the appropriate institutions in the existing SI, or an ‘exit’ strategy by seeking alternative SI which more closely fit their needs. In the case of Norway, two groups of firms exist. Group A benefit from a systemic lock-in. These are large firms in traditional sectors, which are highly embedded, and around whom the Norwegian SI has been built. These firms engage in ‘voice’ and ‘loyalty’. Group B are in science based sectors for whom lock-in results in inefficiencies, and use ‘exit’, (slowly) expanding RD abroad to seek competences in technologies not available domestically. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: RD; Internationalisation; Inertia; Technology; Systems of innovation; Institutions; Coordination; Small and medium enterprises; L