Generation and Diffusion of Innovations in a District Innovation System: The Case of Ink-Jet Printing

This paper provides an in-depth case study of the ink-jet printing (IJP) technology that emerged from the ceramic industry in a Spanish region (Castellon) in the first decade of 2000. We propose an analytical framework that combines the theoretical perspectives of Industrial Districts and Innovation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of technology management & innovation 2014-07, Vol.9 (2), p.56-76
Main Authors: Reig-Otero, Yolanda, Edwards-Schachter, Mónica, Feliú-Mingarro, Carlos, Fernández-de-Lucio, Ignacio
Format: Article
Language:eng ; por
Subjects:
ceramic tile industry
ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
industrial district
ink-jet printing
innovation process
innovation system
Innovations
learning region
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Summary:This paper provides an in-depth case study of the ink-jet printing (IJP) technology that emerged from the ceramic industry in a Spanish region (Castellon) in the first decade of 2000. We propose an analytical framework that combines the theoretical perspectives of Industrial Districts and Innovation Systems, and exploit a qualitative methodology that includes information from patent and scientific article databases and 21 in-depth interviews. Our results show that IJP is a major innovation that breaks with the tradition of machinery innovations in this industry in Spain. Micro-level evidences show the complex external and internal relationships in the sharing of knowledge and innovation process, being the role of internal ties, trust, secrecy and strong in-house R&D strategies determinants of the IJP innovation.
ISSN:0718-2724
0718-2724
DOI:10.4067/S0718-27242014000200005