Assessing the Functions of the Spanish Tile Innovation System

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Daniel Gabaldón-Daniel Gabaldón-EstevanEstevanDaniel Gabaldón-Daniel Gabaldón-EstevanEstevan

Assessing the Functions of Assessing the Functions of the Spanish Tile Innovation the Spanish Tile Innovation SystemSystem

Assessing the Functions of Assessing the Functions of the Spanish Tile Innovation the Spanish Tile Innovation SystemSystem

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• Previous findings;

• Purpose of the research;

• The functional approach;

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Previous findings (I): Main features

Previous findings (I): Main features

Characterisation of the Spanish Tile Industry from a Sectorial Perspective (SIS)

The tile industry in Castellon is:• Not a new industrial activity• Highly integrated technical production process

& capital intensive• Supplier dependent for innovations• Not competitive in low segment markets

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Previous findings (II): The Value Chain

Previous findings (II): The Value Chain

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Previous findings (III): The SISPrevious findings (III): The SIS

(Adapted from Fernandez-de-Lucio et al. 1996 )

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Research questionResearch question

Role of co-operation for innovation in mature industries, the case of Spanish Tile Industry.

• Is there co-operation for innovation purposes?• Who is involved?• With whom one co-operates?• Aims of co-operation?

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Theoretical backgroundTheoretical background

• Industrial Districts (co-operation for innovation occurs inside districts);

• Social Capital (strong ties and high frequency of contacts elicit redundant information transfer; weak ties elicit novelty information transfer);

• Innovation Systems (Methodological approach to analyse the innovative performance of a system);

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The Functional ApproachThe Functional Approach

How well does the Tile IS perform?

What are the strengths and weaknesses?

F1: Knowledge development and diffusion

F2: Influence on the direction of the search

F3: Entrepreneurial experimentation

F4: Market evolution and competition

F5: Legitimation

F6: Resource mobilization

(M.P. Hekkert et. al. 2006)

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ContributionContribution

The Functional Approach:• Appropriate tool to asses performance

– Are all main functions covered?– How dependent is the TIS from external

agents?• Prospective character

– What are the challenges?– How aware and ready are the internal

agents?

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Aspects to be studiedAspects to be studied

• Type of knowledge;• Variety in knowledge base;• Interaction / knowledge exchange;• Counteract resistance to change;• New directions of innovations;• Technological options;• Effects of new legislation;• New entrepreneurial activity;• Market evolution influence on innovation;• Capital, labour and other resources;

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MethodologyMethodology

• Semi-structured interviews with experts of the IS (tile producers; frits and glaze producers; machinery producers; research centers);

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INGENIO (CSIC-UPV)Camino de Vera s/n46022 ValenciaSPAIN

www.ingenio.upv.es

[email protected]

Amsterdam 02/07/2007

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