Knowledge-based theorists have developed two primary arguments to explain the existence of firms: one based on avoiding knowledge transfer and the other based on facilitating knowledge transfer. These arguments are not only contradictory, but also fail to predict when hierarchies supplant...

Knowledge-based theorists have developed two primary arguments to explain the existence of firms: one based on avoiding knowledge transfer and the other based on facilitating knowledge transfer. These arguments are not only contradictory, but also fail to predict when hierarchies supplant...

We utilize a new survey experiment to evaluate the existence and degree of financial constraints for R&D in the economy. The experiment does not only allow to deduct the presence of financial constraints, but also to evaluate their economic significance. Using data on German companies, we find...

Although much of the innovative activity prompted by the incentive of intellectual property rewards occurs within the context of the firm, relatively little attention has been paid to intellectual property law in light of the theory of the firm. Modern theories of the firm have developed from...

The loss of private customer data such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, birth-dates, and other confidential information to unauthorized third parties presents a daunting set of challenges and legal obligations to affected businesses. Identity theft has been America's “fastest...

Scientific research is a crucial success factor for knowledge intensive firms and is often a joint effort of scientists and managers. However, scientists and managers belong to different “professional guilds,” subscribing to different belief systems and valuing different types of incentives....

I analyze, in the context of business and science research collaboration, how the characteristics of partnership agreements are the result of an optimal contract between partners. The final outcome depends on the structure governing the partnership, and on the informational problems towards the...

Modding – the modification of existing products by consumers – is increasingly exploited by manufacturers to enhance product development and sales. In the computer games industry modding has evolved into a development model in which users act as unpaid “complementors” to manufacturers’...

In this paper, we examine the relationship between R&D collaboration, corporate ownership, market orientation and innovation. In doing so, we classify a Swedish sample of 1,249 multinational enterprises, MNEs, on the basis of their main market, corporate ownership structure and whether their...

This paper asks whether there is evidence of higher innovation output from firms where there is more foreign activity in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI), trade and collaboration on innovation, or if proximity between innovators is more important. With a sample of about two-thirds of...