Innovation strategy choices in the urban economy

• Published in: Urban Studies 2018-05, Vol.55 (6), p.1185-1202
• Main Author: Herstad, Sverre J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capital; Choices; Collaboration; Companies; Corporate planning; Density; Estimation; Innovation policy; Innovations; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Policy review; Regression analysis; Site selection; Strategic planning; Strategy; Urban areas; Urban policy; Urban studies
• ISSN: 0042-0980; 1360-063X
• DOI: 10.1177/0042098017692941

This paper analyses how the innovation strategies of individual firms reflect the density, diversity and international connectivity of their urban locations. It makes three contributions. Theoretically, it argues that observed strategies reflect a series of inter-related choices, and that each may be influenced differently by the knowledge dynamics of firms’ locations. Empirically, it uses Norwegian Community Innovation Survey data to demonstrate how firms in the Capital are less inclined to engage in innovation activities, but also more likely to commit strongly once engaged, than are comparable firms located elsewhere. Methodologically, it illustrates how the results of sequential regressions on inter-related strategy choices differ from those obtained using a more conventional estimation strategy. Implications for innovation policy and research are drawn. 本文分析了单个企业的创新战略如何反映其城市位置的密度、多样性和国际连通性。文章有三个贡献。理论层面，本文认为观察到的策略反映了一系列相互关联的选择，并且每个公司所在位置的知识生发机制可能会受到不同的影响。经验层面，本文使用挪威社区创新调查的数据来证明相比其他地方的可比公司，首都的公司从事创新活动的倾向较弱，但一旦参与就更有可能强力投入。方法层面，本文说明了相互关联型策略选择的顺序回归结果与使用更传统的估计策略获得的结果有何不同。我们总结了对创新政策和研究的意义。