Co-operation in Regional Innovation Systems
Abstract
The paper deals with co-operative relationships of manufacturing firms in three German regions. By applying a hurdle-count data model, differences between regions as well as between smaller and larger firms are analysed. The differences between regions regarding the propensity of firms to co-operate are mainly due to peculiarities of the small business sector. Spatial proximity is obviously of particular importance for horizontal co-operation and for relationships to publicly funded research institutions. The link between the cooperative behaviour of firms and the performance of the regional innovation system remains, however, unclear. Cet article traite du partenariat des entreprises industrielles situées dans trois régions en Allemagne. On anlayse les différences interrégionales ainsi que les différences entre les petites entreprises et les grandes entreprises. Pour ce qui est de la propensité des entreprises ¤ a coopérer, les différences interrégionales s'expliquent largement par des particularités de la petite entreprise. Il va sans dire que la proximitégéographique est d'une importance indéniable pour la coopération horizontale et pour les rapports avec les centres de recherche publics. Toujours est-il que le lien entre le partenariat des entreprises et la performance des systèmes d'innovation régionaux reste ambigu. In dem Aufsatz wird das Kooperationsverhalten von Industriebetrieben in drei deutschen Regionen anhand eines Hürden-Zähldatenmodells analysiert. Dabei werden sowohl interregionale Unterschiede als auch Unterschiede zwischen kleinen und größeren Betrieben herausgearbeitet. Es zeigt sich, dass Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Kooperationsneigung zwischen den Regionen vor allem auf entsprechenden Besonderheiten der Kleinbetriebe beruhen. Räumliche Nähe ist offenbar insbesondere für die horizontale Kooperationsbeziehungen sowie für die Zusammenarbeit mit öffentlichen Forschungseinrichtungen von Bedeutung. Der Zusammenhang zwischen Kooperationsneigung und der Leistungsfähigkeit des entsprechenden regionalen Innovationssystems bleibt unklar.
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Science partners tend to be most important where the innovation is relatively radical in orientation.
“The evidence demonstrates that science partners tend to be most important where the innovation is relatively radical in orientation (Ebadi and Utterback, 1984;Verspagen, 1999;Fritsch, 2001).”
From Networking and innovation: a systematic review of the evidence (2004) · cites this paper as Fritsch, 2001
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“In this respect, regional innovation systems (RIS) (Asheim et al., 2016; Cooke, Heidenreich, & Braczyk, 2004; Fritsch, 2001), milieux innovateurs (Camagni, 1991), learning regions (Hassink & Klaerding, 2012; Lundvall & Johnson, 1994) and regional patterns of innovation (Capello & Lenzi, 2013a)…”
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“A parallel interest in regional/urban studies and economic geography has attracted the ‘regionalization’ of industry-research co-operation and the regional concentration of its effects (Fritsch and Schwirten 1999; Fritsch 2001; Ponds et al. 2007).”
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“For several countries, there are many studies that show the importance of external partnerships regarding improvements in the firm’s innovation capability (Fritsch and Lukas, 1999; Fritsch and Lukas, 2001; Kaufmann and Tödtling, 2000; Kaufmann and Tödtling, 2001; Bayona et al., 2001; Romijn and Albaladejo, 2002; Haged…”
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“…firms belonging to activity sectors such as high technological, electronics, computer science, and biochemistry are expected to innovate more than are other kinds of firms (Bayona et al., 2001; Fritsch & Lukas, 1999, 2001; Kaufmann & Tödtling, 2000, 2001; Romijn & Albaladejo, 2002; Tether, 2002).”
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“Fritsch (2001) also emphasized in his study in Germany that spatial proximity is important for collaboration among firms.”
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Amato, S., Ricotta, F., & Basco, R. (2021) · Industry and Innovation · doi:10.1080/13662716.2021.1976623 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“While geographical proximity has been traditionally regarded as crucial for the emergence of R&D collaboration (Marek et al. 2017; Fritsch 2001), other non-spatial forms of proximity, such as social proximity, overlap (Mattes 2012).”
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“…from their environment during their period of acceleration by using the early discovery and growth process to share information and resources in ways that draw in more ecosystem participants (Fritsch, 2001; Feldman and Francis, 2004; Feldman, Francis, and Bercovitz, 2005; Feldman and Zoller, 2012).”
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“The interactive model and the literature on RIS highlight the importance of routine production activities – learning by doing – adaptation to technologies and systems – learning using – and interaction between the company’s internal and external agents (including clients, suppliers, R&D agents, technological centres a…”
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“…for innovation success, which could, however, impede the creation of new products due to the so-called path dependence (the ‘lock-in-effects’ shown in Fritsch, 2001; Cooke and Memedovic, 2003).1 Second, in a spatial sense, the ‘closure’-aspect of the regional innovation process is emphasized,…”
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“…; Romijn & Albaladejo, 2002); however, in order for this to succeed, bonds of trust must be established between the partners and the negative effects associated with innovation minimized, particularly the associated risk (Fritsch & Lukas, 1999 ; Fritsch & Lukas, 2001 ; Kaufmann & Tödtling, 2001).”
BackgroundRELACIONAMENTOS EXTERNOS NO ÂMBITO DA INOVAÇÃO EMPRESARIAL: MODELO APLICADO AOS AVANÇOS INOVADORES*
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“The influence of the activity sector in the firm’s innovative capability is highlighted in several previous studies (Fritsch and Lukas, 1999, 2001; Kaufmann and Tödtling, 2000, 2001; Bayona, García-Marco, Huerta, 2001; Romijn and Albaladejo, 2002; Tether, 2002).”
Von der innovationsorientierten Regionalförderung zur regionalisierten InnovationspolitikPreprint
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“It is measured by taking open innovation/co-innovation utilizing external and internal sources for adding value to products and services (Michael Fritsch, 2001).”
BackgroundWho with whom: Co‐operation activities in a cluster region
Eigenhüller, L., Litzel, N., & Fuchs, S. (2015) · Papers of the Regional Science Association · doi:10.1111/pirs.12077 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The dynamics of inter-regional collaboration: an analysis of co-patenting
von Proff, S., & Brenner, T. (2013) · The Annals of Regional Science · doi:10.1007/s00168-013-0573-1 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Fritsch (2001) finds a positive influence of the share of R&D staff on collaboration on the firm level.”
BackgroundInfluentialReinforcing the Entrepreneurial Innovation Capacity of Industrial SMEs with Networks
Madeira, M. J., & Leitão, J. C. C. (2009) · International studies in entrepreneurship · doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0249-8_8 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“The influence of the activity sector in the firm’s innovative capacity is highlighted by previous studies ( Fritsch and Lukas 1999, 2001 ; Kaufmann and Todtling 2000, 2001 ; Bayona et al . 2001 ; Romijn and Albaladejo 2002 ; Tether 2002 ; Nieto and Santamaria 2007) . Firms belonging to activity sectors with high techn…”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialCooperation of enterprises in innovative activities on the example of Polish regions
Nowak, P. (2021) · Equilibrium Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy · doi:10.24136/eq.2021.031 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Technological Entrepreneurship: How does Environmental Turbulence Impact upon Collaboration Risk?
Staniec, I. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10082762 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Proposing the eTourism Adoption Model (eTAM) in the Context of Bangladesh
Deb, S. K. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-16-2434-6_1 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Regional Innovation Systems Analysis and Evaluation: The Case of the Czech Republic
Stejskal, J., Kuvíková, H., & Meričková, B. M. (2018) · Advances in spatial science · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-67029-4_3 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“That information sources can act on information opportunities and alter information directions to improve the delivery of information services Fritsch (2001) 3 German regions”
BackgroundKnowledge and innovation in the Lebanese software industry
Hassen, T. B. (2018) · Cogent Social Sciences · doi:10.1080/23311886.2018.1509416 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Innovation Activities in the Service Sector: Empirical Evidence from Portuguese Firms
Madeira, M. J., Sousa, G. F. S., Moreira, J., & Simões, J. M. M. (2011) · Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics and Information Technology · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Public Research in Regional Networks of Innovators: A Comparative Study of Four East-German Regions
Graf, H., & Henning, T. (2009) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-540-87910-7_6 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Blair, N., Berry, J. P., & McGreal, S. (2007) · Urban Studies · doi:10.1080/00420980601131928 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Eckey, H.-F., Kosfeld, R., & Türck, M. (2005) · Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch · doi:10.3790/schm.125.2.239 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Rodríguez‐Soler, J., & Icart, I. B. (2017) · Studies in Continuing Education · doi:10.1080/0158037x.2017.1343239 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“…& Francis Group CONTACT Joan Rodríguez-Soler joan.rodriguez.soler@uab.cat From the RIS approach, the studies of the innovation processes of the SMEs have focused on aspects such as cooperation with clients and suppliers and relationships with R&D agents (Asheim and Coenen 2005; Fritsch 2001).”
BackgroundDETERMINANTS OF PROPENSITY VS. INTENSITY OF INNOVATION CO-OPERATION FOR SMEs
Cloutier, A., & Amara, N. (2018) · International Journal of Innovation Management · doi:10.1142/s1363919618400042 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Regional innovation policy and innovative behaviours. A propensity score matching evaluationPreprint
Antonioli, D., Marzucchi, A., & Montresor, S. (2012) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · doi:10.13039/501100009879 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“RIS are not places where cooperation in innovation is “free-lunch” (Fritsch, 2001).”
BackgroundBilingualism and regional entrepreneurship
Audretsch, D. B., Belitski, M., & Eichler, G. M. (2020) · The Annals of Regional Science · doi:10.1007/s00168-020-01004-3 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…are also limited: improving the productivity (van Praag 2007), attracting skilled labor (Kenney and Patton 2005), facilitating innovations systems (Fritsch 2001) and entrepreneurial ecosystems (Isenberg 2010; Stam 2015; Audretsch and Belitski 2017), investing in social capital (Westlund and…”
BackgroundInnovación y territorio. Una encuesta a pequeñas y medianas empresas industriales
Lavía, C., Otero, B., Olazaran, M., & Gallastegi, E. A. (2011) · Revista Internacional de Sociología · doi:10.3989/ris.2009.11.06 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Innovation-oriented Land-use Policy at the Sub-national Level: Case Study from Germany
Friedrich, P., & Nam, C. W. (2013) · Studies in Regional Science · doi:10.2457/srs.43.223 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…of firms and economic growth are influenced by economies generated by the spatial proximity of the actors (like relations among located firms, research institutions, government agencies, etc.) and associated externalities (Glaeser et al., 1992 ; Mills and McDonald, 1992 ; Fritsch, 2001).”
Borin, E., & Juno-Delgado, E. (2018) · European Journal of Cultural Management and Policy · doi:10.3389/ejcmp.2023.v8iss1-article-2 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“It includes studies on entrepreneurship as related to clusters (Marshall, 1920; Porter, 1998; Mommaas, 2004), innovation systems (Cooke, Gomez Uranga & Etxebarria, 1997; Fritsch, 2001) and networks (Sorenson & Stuart, 2001) that paved the way to the studies on entrepreneurial ecosystems.”
BackgroundLa perspectiva del sistema nacional/regional de innovación: balance y recepción en España
Olazaran, M., & Otero, B. (2009) · Arbor · doi:10.3989/arbor.2009.738n1051 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Unraveling the impacts of free trade zones on urban innovation intensity: Evidence from China
Wang, Q., Ren, J., Su, H., Chen, Z., & Diao, M. (2025) · Land Use Policy · doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107901 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Czemiel-Grzybowska, W. (2022) · Energies · doi:10.3390/en15186543 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Developing an assessment model for entrepreneurship ecosystems using Hierarchical Decision Model
Almuzel, M., Daim, T. U., Yeşilada, B. A., Dabić, M., & Bolatan, G. İ. S. (2024) · Journal of Innovation & Knowledge · doi:10.1016/j.jik.2024.100562 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kim, J., & Yoo, C. W. (2007) · International Journal of Technology Management · doi:10.1504/ijtm.2007.012716 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Innovación en las pymes industriales: una visión desde el modelo interactivo
Gallastegi, E. A., Olazaran, M., Otero, B., & Lavía, C. (2012) · Revista Internacional de Organizaciones · doi:10.17345/rio7.17-43 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“…es más importante para la cooperación con agentes de I+D que para la cooperación dentro de la cadena de valor, donde alcanzan una notable relevancia las relaciones con clientes y proveedores internacionales (Fritsch, 2001; Doloreux 2003, 2004; Koscahtzky y Zenker, 1999; Gebauer et alii, 2005).”
BackgroundInfluentialHOW CAN RESEARCH NETWORKS IMPROVE THE INNOVATION PROCESSPreprint
Wilhelmsson, M. H. (2007) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Liao, B., Li, L., & Cao, L. (2024) · Environment Development and Sustainability · doi:10.1007/s10668-024-04809-w · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“( Barbour & Markusen, 2007; Fritsch, 2001; Li & Cui, 2022).”
SME segmentation and regional development agencies’ innovation support measures
Kruszelnicki, J., Gołuński, M., Ciochoń, P., Noya, M., Pelayo, E., & Żyra, J. (2020) · Regional Studies Regional Science · doi:10.1080/21681376.2020.1811753 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Wang, Q., Ren, J., Zhang, Y., Su, H., & Diao, M. (2026) · Cities · doi:10.1016/j.cities.2026.107174 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
(2024) · Journal of Competitiveness · doi:10.7441/joc.2024.01.03 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Other related systemic theories include regional innovation systems (Fritsch, 2001), clustering (Breschi & Malerba, 2001), technological systems (Bergek et al., 2015), sectoral systems (Malerba, 2002) and mission-oriented systems (Hekkert et al., 2020).”
Critical perspectives on entrepreneurial ecosystems
Coad, A., Domnick, C., Santoleri, P., & Srhoj, S. (2025) · The Journal of Technology Transfer · doi:10.1007/s10961-025-10267-x · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“…1995; Lundvall, 1992) and National Systems of Entrepreneurship (NSE; Acs et al., 2014), Regional Innovation Systems (RIS; Cooke et al., 1997; Fritsch, 2001), the cluster-based theory of competitive advantage (Delgado et al., 2010; Moretti, 2021 ), the Triple helix approach (Etzkowitz &…”
Świadek, A. (2010) · Argumenta Oeconomica · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Icart, I. B., & Rodríguez‐Soler, J. (2014) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Madeira, M. J., Mainardes, E. W., Raposo, M. L. B., & Sousa, G. F. S. (2012) · Revista de Gestão · doi:10.5700/rege450 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Otero, B., Lavía, C., Gallastegi, E. A., & Olazaran, M. (2015) · 251 - Enpresa eta Ekonomia Aldizkaria · doi:10.1387/251eea.13402 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Chang, Y.-A., Lin, B. W., Hung, S. C., & Liu, M. C. (2009) · International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management · doi:10.1504/ijeim.2009.023846 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“In the seminal works of in networks and alliances, Ranjay Gulati proposed that the strategic alliance can be better understood from the angle of social networks which most firms are embedded rather than treating alliances as dyadic exchanges (Gulati, 1998). Gulati (1999) found accumulated networks resources derived fr…”
BackgroundExplaining the change : Creative industries policy from the perspective of social innovation
Tafel-Viia, K., & Lassur, S. (2013) · Territoire en mouvement · doi:10.4000/tem.2170 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“The dialogical relationships between people with different kinds of expertise stimulate collective learning and innovation activities (Fritsch, 2001 ; Tynjälä and Nikkanen, 2007).”
BackgroundBusiness-to-business networking and its impact on innovation: exploring the UK evidence
Pittaway, L., & Robertson, M. (2004) · Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN BRAZIL: RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AS DRIVERS OF COMPETITIVENESS
Schaeffer, P. R., Fischer, B. B., & de Queiroz, S. R. R. (2018) · Anais do ... EGEPE · doi:10.17648/egepe-2018-83439 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Furthermore, spatial proximity is of utmost relevance for establishing interactions with universities and research institutes (Fritsch, 2001; Fritsch & Slavtchev, 2007; Moodysson et al., 2008; Uyarra, 2010), making the case for academic units to be considered as ‘anchors’ of innovation ecosystems, fostering aggregate…”
BackgroundResearch opportunities considering student entrepreneurship in university ecosystems
Mosey, S., & Kirkham, P. (2019) · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · doi:10.4337/9781788116015.00014 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Implications of Current Research on Social Innovation in the Basque Country
Gallastegi, E. A., Ubillos, J. B., Camino‐Beldarrain, V., Ezponda, A. G., González, S., Portilla, M. G., Abad, A. G., Luna, Á., Carrasqueño, M. M., Otero, B., et al. (2011) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Networking of Small Firms: Is the Region a Knowledge Source for Innovation?
Koschatzky, K., & Zenker, A. (2002) · Contributions to economics · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-57467-2_11 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The Role of Structural Funds in Developing Learning RegionsPreprint
Ritsilä, J., & Haukka, J. (2003) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Eickelpasch, A. F., & Fritsch, M. J. (2004) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationLisbon Agenda, Regional Innovation System and the New EU Cohesion PolicyPreprint
Nam, C. W., Schoenberg, A. M., & Wamser, G. (2011) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.1922709 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Determinanten der Vernetzung von Unternehmen der deutschen Photovoltaik-IndustriePreprint
Hornych, C., & Brachert, M. (2010) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Fritsch, M.
- Corresponding author
- Fritsch, Michael
- ORCID
- Fritsch, Michael
- Venue
- Regional Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2001-06
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 297-307
- ISSN
- 0034-3404 (ISSN-L)
- 1360-0591
- OpenAlex
- W1984307981
- Cited by
- 136
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 12.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Regional Studies (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Business Strategy and Innovation
- Social Sciences › Development › Regional Development and Innovation
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › University-Industry-Government Innovation Models
- Keywords
- inter-firm cooperation, regional innovation systems, manufacturing companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, horizontal cooperation, public research institutions, spatial proximity, interregional differences, firm size, German regions
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