"European firms' reasons for taking part in global innovation networks"
by Susana Borrás and Stine Haakonsson, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Denmark, June 2010


Summary

During the past decades, large firms and especially multinational firms have been developing innovation networks with a true global reach. In these networks, innovation is created in different locations and shared among different partners in order to open, adapt, maintain or exploit new market opportunities.

The objective of this research project is to investigate what global innovation networks are and what policy implications these trends pose for Europe. The early steps of the INGINEUS scientific approach have been based on a literature review, descriptive statistical data, and the preliminary results of the project survey.

Global innovation networks are typically created on the top of pre-existing global production networks. Upstream and downstream interactions in these production networks are now complemented with co-creation of knowledge-intensive innovation-related activities.

Key messages for policy-makers, businesses, trade unions and civil society actors

There is an acute problem of data availability on the globalisation of European STI. Policy makers must generate more and better data sources.

• The engagement of EU firms in global innovation networks is mainly limited to accessing human resources and knowledge capabilities. EU policies should aim at positioning Europe upfront on the global map of skills and knowledge.