There is ample evidence that user-producer interaction is an important factor for successful innovations. It is often claimed that user-producer interaction is most effcient in close proximity. On the other hand, innovations are a major determinant for the export performance of firms. Does this...

This paper deals with the effects of publicly funded research at universities, polytechnics and federal research labs on industrial innovations in Germany. We discuss the characteristics of companies that benefit from the findings of public research institutions. In questioning 2,300 companies...

Wo liegen Deutschlands regionale und sektorale Innovationsschwerpunkte? Innovative regionale Kompetenzzentren zeichnen sich vor allem dadurch aus, daß die ansässigen Unternehmen intensiv auf Hochschulabsolventen zurückgreifen, viele Naturwissenschaftler und Ingenieure beschäftigen und...