Suchergebnisse

Gegenstand des Beitrags sind Entwicklungsbedingungen und chancen eines industriellen Sektors, der aufgrund der hier produzierten einfachen Produkte als "Low-Tech"-Sektor bezeichnet werden kann. In der aktuellen wissenschaftlichen und politischen Debatte über die zukünftige industrielle Entwicklung wird dieser Sektor weitgehend ausgeblendet, da allein Hochtechnologien und wissensintensiven Wirtschaftsbereichen Zukunftschancen eingeräumt werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird demgegenüber gezeigt, dass es sich bei dem Low-Tech-Sektor um einen Wirtschaftsbereich handelt, der durchaus auch in einem hoch industrialisierten Land wie Deutschland Entwicklungschancen aufweist. Diese basieren auf einer spezifischen industriellen Kompetenz, die als praktische im Anschluss an die wissens- und industriesoziologische Debatte begriffen werden kann. Um ihre jeweils verfügbare praktische industrielle Kompetenz zu mobilisieren, müssen Unternehmen spezifische Rationalisierungs- und Innovationsstrategien verfolgen. Wie anhand einer Reihe von Unternehmensfällen gezeigt werden kann, richten sich diese vor allem auf den nachhaltigen Wandel der in den Low-Tech-Unternehmen vielfach eingefahrenen Personal- und Organisationsstrukturen. Ausgehend von diesen empirischen Befunden werden in dem Beitrag abschließend einige Überlegungen zum derzeit viel diskutierten Begriff des Wissens und der Wissensarbeit skizziert. ; This contribution focuses on the conditions and developmental perspectives of an industrial sector which can be termed as "low-tech" because of the simplicity and maturity of the products manufactured there. In the current scientific and political debate on future industrial development, this sector is being largely neglected. At the present stage only high-technologies and knowledge-based economic sectors have a future. However, this contribution shows that an industrial low-tech sector has developmental opportunities even in a highly industrialized country like Germany. These chances are based on industrial practical know-how which has come to light following the sociological debate on the relevance of knowledge and experience in modern production processes. To mobilize their practical industrial competence, companies have to introduce specific rationalization and innovation strategies. On the basis of several case studies it can be shown that these strategies are mainly aimed at changing their traditional organizational and personnel structures. Finally some critical arguments will be presented concerning the current debate on the importance of knowledge and knowledge work for future development.

"Im Beitrag wird nach der Bedeutung von 'Low-Tech-Industrien', das heißt Branchen mit nur wenig Aufwand für Forschung und Entwicklung, für die zukünftige ökonomische und gesellschaftliche Entwicklung hin zur Wissensgesellschaft gefragt. Im Gegensatz zum Mainstream der innovationspolitischen und wissenschaftlichen Debatte wird gezeigt, dass solche Industriezweige neben ihrer quantitativen Bedeutung über spezifische Innovationspotenziale verfügen und das Label 'Low-Technology' im Grunde missverständlich ist. Im Beitrag wird dabei zwischen verschiedenen Unternehmenstypen unterschieden, die unterschiedliche Innovationsschwerpunkte aufweisen. Als Voraussetzung hierfür werden ein hohes Maß an praktischem Wissen und eine spezifische strategische Innovationsfähigkeit angesehen. Damit, so die innovationspolitische Schlussfolgerung, verbinden sich aussichtsreiche Ansatzpunkte zur Unterstützung und Verbesserung der Standortsituation von Low-Tech-Unternehmen in High-Tech-Ländern wie Deutschland." (Autorenreferat)

The normal enterprise, contrary to widespread prejudice, can do well out of intense knowledge, without bothering with snobbish high-tech delusions. In this respect, the present book deals with all the questions you might have been afraid to ask. It offers explanation, policy and practical conclusions in an international perspective. It is a compelling read!'--Arndt Sorge, Professor Emeritus, WZB, Germany. This book contributes to the discussion about the relevance of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship for industrial innovation in the context of traditional low-technology industries. There is a widespread assumption that low-tech industries offer limited opportunities for entrepreneurial activity due to their mature character. Yet there are indications that the phenomenon is finally emerging in these traditional sectors. This detailed book contributes to the ongoing political debate on relevant policy measures to promote future industrial innovation. It extends awareness of the relevance of low-tech industries for future economic and societal development, linking both scientific and political perspectives. Detailed chapters identify the typical patterns, prerequisites and impacts of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship, as well as the distribution of entrepreneurial activities in low-tech sectors. The authors conclude with policy recommendations to promote such activities. This book will appeal to social scientists, economists and students of innovation and entrepreneurship studies. Policy-makers and company representatives will also find much of interest in this book, with its surprising insights into a field that has been so far neglected in the scientific as well as the policy-oriented debate

In the mid-1980s, the OECD invented an economic classification that has had a spectacular career - the concept of high-technology, medium-technology and lowtechnology industries. This taxonomy was based primarily on the R&D intensity of industries, meaning the ratio of R&D expenditure to output. Industries with an R&D/Turnover ratio of more than four percent were classified as high-tech. Those between one and four percent were medium-tech, and those less than one percent were low-tech. This schema has become widely used in business, in policy discussions and in economic analysis. It links with other classifications that seek to differentiate 'science-based' or 'knowledge intensive' industries from more prosaic activities. This paper addresses a central problem for economic analysis and public policy in Europe. Should Europe focus on so-called high-technology or science-based industries in attempting to solve growth and employment problems? Or should it look to the growth prospects within the industries on which the European economy is actually based: low-technology and medium-technology industries (which we call 'LMT industries') in manufacturing and services? These questions are the focus of a European Commission research project called PILOT 'Policy and Innovation in Low-Tech' (see www.pilot-project.org). This paper is a first output from the project it addresses key issues in understanding LMT industries, mainly in terms of knowledge intensity and use. There are many who argue that high-technology industries are the bearers of the new knowledge economy. They argue that Europe should focus on knowledge intensive activities in such frontier areas as ICT, biotechnology and professional services. A related claim is that mature, traditional or LMT industries are likely to move to less developed countries. We claim that these perspectives are seriously mistaken. Taken together, LMT activities account for somewhere in the region of 97% of all economic activity in Europe. All European economies are trade-specialized in LMT products. All LMT industries are innovative - they generate significant proportions of their sales from new and technological changed products. Many LMT industries and products are surviving and growing on the basis of technological upgrading, high-grade design skills and the intensive application of knowledge to innovation. They have unique forms of industrial organisation and knowledge creation, complex links to science and technology knowledge infrastructures, and important regional dimensions. Here we focuses on the creation and use of knowledge in LMT industries. We claim that in the future the European economy, especially in the context of enlargement, will continue to rest on LMT activities. This implies that growth, competitiveness, cohesion and employment in Europe will depend on the performance of LMT industries. At the present time, the knowledge-creation problems faced by such sectors are neglected in policy arenas - but this will become a major challenge for EU innovation, technology and research policy.

Die Argumentation des Papiers bezieht sich auf die sozialwissenschaftliche Debatte über den gegenwärtigen
gesellschaftlichen Wandel, der vielfach als die Entwicklung zu einer Wissensgesellschaft bezeichnet
wird. In dieser Debatte werden Wachstumschancen und die Entstehung neuer Arbeitsplätze
wie generell für Unternehmen Wettbewerbsvorteile auf dem Weltmarkt nur im High-tech Sektor gesehen,
der auch als wissensintensiver Wirtschaftszweig betrachtet wird. Wirtschaftszweige jedoch, die
alte, konventionelle und standardisierte Produkte herstellen, haben in dieser Perspektive in den
entwickelten Ländern nur wenig Entwicklungschancen. Solchen auch als "Low-tech" zu bezeichnenden
Sektoren und Unternehmen werden in den entwickelten Ländern nurmehr sehr ungünstige Standortbedingungen
eingeräumt. Jedoch ist unübersehbar, dass es eine ganze Reihe solcher Unternehmen
gibt, die sehr erfolgreich in entwickelten Ländern produzieren. Zudem existieren überzeugende
Beispiele für prosperierende Regionen, deren industrielle Basis alte und traditionelle Technologien umfasst.
An diese Befunde knüpft die Argumentation des vorliegenden Papiers an: Erstens wird die vorherrschende
Meinung, wonach Wissen eindeutig messbar sei, kritisch diskutiert. Zweitens wird der vorherrschende
Wissensbegriff diskutiert und es werden die Merkmale jener Wissensform herausgearbeitet,
die als typisch für den Low-tech Sektor angesehen werden können. Dieses spezifische Wissen
wird als "praktisches" Wissen begriffen. Anschließend werden Reorganisationsmaßnahmen von Lowtech
Unternehmen skizziert, die auf die Mobilisierung dieses praktischen Wissens zielen. Abschließend
werden einige Thesen zur Zukunft des Low-tech Sektors im Kontext des gegenwärtigen sozialen und
ökonomischen Wandels formuliert. [Autorenreferat]

Abstract
Despite the importance of low-tech manufacturing sectors for national economies, previous studies on UIC benefits for the firms were conducted mostly in high-tech sectors, making the knowledge on the impact of UIC on innovation in low-tech sectors unexplored. The present research aims to identify combinations of UIC s that may lead the low-tech firms to high innovation performance. By using the csQCA technique applied to secondary data from the BR Survey, which is the largest UIC databank in Brazil, the researchers identified that the most intense collaborations in terms of knowledge and resource exchange, such as development-oriented and research-oriented, are among the most beneficial for firms' innovativeness. Diffusion-oriented UIC does not contribute to innovation, unless it is combined with both research-oriented and development-oriented UIC s. Finally, the csQCA suggests that in most cases the firms should focus on engaging in one specific UIC type rather than split its effort and resources among a mix of UIC. The findings amplify comprehension of the range of impacts that entrepreneurial universities promote in low-tech sector, creating both theory and policy implications.

Mitte der 1980er Jahre führte die OECD zur ökonomischen Klassifikation das Konzept der technologisch hoch-, mittel- und niedrigintensiven Branchen ein. Diese Taxonomie dient der Einschätzung von Industrien hinsichtlich ihrer Forschungs- und Entwicklungsintensität. Das Schema hat sich in der Geschäftswelt, in politischen Diskussionen und in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften etabliert. In ihrer Untersuchung gehen die Autoren der Frage nach, ob sich Europa bei der Lösung von Wachstums- und Beschäftigungsproblemen auf die so genannten hochtechnologischen bzw. wissenschaftsbasierten Industrien konzentrieren soll. Oder ist eine Betrachtung der Wachstumsaussichten in den mittleren und technologisch unbedeutenderen Industrien im verarbeitenden Gewerbe und den Dienstleistungen sinnvoller, auf denen die europäische Wirtschaft mit einem Anteil von 97 Prozent derzeit basiert? Die Autoren zeigen, dass die Zukunft der europäischen Wirtschaft, insbesondere im Kontext der EU-Erweiterung, weiterhin in den Aktivitäten der technologisch mittel- und niedrigintensiven Branchen liegt. Das impliziert, dass Wachstum, Wettbewerb, Kohäsion und Beschäftigung in Europa von den Leistungen dieser Industriesektoren abhängen wird. Somit geraten Innovation, Technologie und Forschungspolitik vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Probleme bei der Wissensgenerierung für diese Branchen zu den vorrangigsten Herausforderungen in der EU. (ICGÜbers)

This paper addresses a central problem for economic analysis and public policy in Europe. Should Europe focus on socalled high-technology or science-based industries in attempting to solve growth and employment problems? Or should it look to the growth prospects within the industries on which the European economy is actually based: low-technology and medium-technology industries (which we call LMT industries ) in manufacturing and services? These questions are the focus of a European Commission research project called PILOT Policy and Innovation in Low-Tech. This paper is a first output from the project it addresses key issues in understanding LMT industries, mainly in terms of knowledge intensity and use. There are many who argue that high-technology industries are the bearers of the new knowledge economy. They argue that Europe should focus on knowledge intensive activities in such frontier areas as ICT, biotechnology and professional services. A related claim is that mature, traditional or LMT industries are likely to move to less developed countries. We claim that these perspectives are seriously mistaken. Taken together, LMT activities account for somewhere in the region of 97 % of all economic activity in Europe. All European economies are trade-specialized in LMT products. All LMT industries are innovative they generate significant proportions of their sales from new and technological changed products. Many LMT industries and products are surviving and growing on the basis of technological upgrading, high-grade design skills and the intensive application of knowledge to innovation. They have unique forms of industrial organisation and knowledge creation, complex links to science and technology knowledge infrastructures, and important regional dimensions. Here we focuses on the creation and use of knowledge in LMT industries. We claim that in the future the European economy, especially in the context of enlargement, will continue to rest on LMT activities. This implies that growth, competitiveness, cohesion and employment in Europe will depend on the performance of LMT industries. At the present time, the knowledge-creation problems faced by such sectors are neglected in policy arenas but this will become a major challenge for EU innovation, technology and research policy.

This book presents the first multidimensional investigation of KIE in the context of low-tech industries and gives insights in paradox conditions and specific mechanisms, using the example of the German textile industry. Therefore, the author solves conceptual inconsistencies and develops an alternative framework referring to systemic concepts of sectoral innovation systems and KIE as well as to the concept of institutional entrepreneurs. As a result, the deviation of willful actors from a restricting institutional environment and sources of entrepreneurial opportunities can be investigated more comprehensively. Contents The Sectoral Innovation System of the German Textile Industry The German Textile Industry as an Example The Emergence of Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship in Low-Tech Industries Target Groups Students and lecturers of economic sociology and economics Decision makers in industrial policies and economic promotion The Author During her PhD, Isabel Schwinge researched and lectured at the Chair of Economic and Industrial Sociology, TU Dortmund University. The Sectoral Innovation System of the German Textile Industry The German Textile Industry as an Example The Emergence of Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship in Low-Tech Industries Target Groups Students and lecturers of economic sociology and economics Decision makers in industrial policies and economic promotion The Author During her PhD, Isabel Schwinge researched and lectured at the Chair of Economic and Industrial Sociology, TU Dortmund University. The Sectoral Innovation System of the German Textile Industry The German Textile Industry as an Example The Emergence of Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship in Low-Tech Industries Target Groups Students and lecturers of economic sociology and economics Decision makers in industrial policies and economic promotion The Author During her PhD, Isabel Schwinge researched and lectured at the Chair of Economic and Industrial Sociology, TU Dortmund University. The Sectoral Innovation System of the German Textile Industry The German Textile Industry as an Example The Emergence of Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship in Low-Tech Industries Target Groups Students and lecturers of economic sociology and economics Decision makers in industrial policies and economic promotion The Author During her PhD, Isabel Schwinge researched and lectured at the Chair of Economic and Industrial Sociology, TU Dortmund University. The Sectoral Innovation Syste ...

It is a general understanding that the advanced economies are currently undergoing a fundamental transformation into knowledge-based societies. There is a firm belief that this is based on the development of high-tech industries. Correspondingly, in this scenario low-tech sectors appear to be less important. A critique of this widely held belief is the starting point of this book. It is often overlooked that many of the current innovation activities are linked to developments inside the realm of low-tech. Thus the general objective of the book is to contribute to a discussion concerning the relevance of low-tech industries for industrial innovativeness in the emerging knowledge economy.Providing examples of both theoretical and empirical research in this area, ""Innovation in Low-tech Firms and Industries"" will be of great interest to postgraduate students and academic researchers in innovation studies. It will also appeal to policy makers in the field of innovation policy as well as industrial economists and sociologists interested in traditional industries in advanced economies.