Seminar on: Innovation and Social Capital: A multi-level analysis of enterprise innovation performance in developing nations

21 November 2014

Presenter: Prof. Edward Lorenz (University of Nice/ GREDEG-CNRS) France

Date: 21 November 2014

Venue: IERI (Institute for Economic Research on Innovation) Lecture Hall, 159 Nana Sita Street,

Metro-Skinner Building, Pretoria CBD

Time: 11:00 – 13:00

Abstract

This paper investigates whether enterprises are more successful in their innovative activities in nations where social capital is more developed. The analysis is undertaken for a sample of firms in 23 developing nations. Multilevel modeling is used, linking micro-level data on the characteristics and innovative performance of enterprises to national-level measures of social capital. The analysis shows that social capital, defined as networks and patterns of social interaction, increases the likelihood that firms innovate. Further, it shows that the benefits of R&D expenditures and employee training for the firm’s innovation performance are moderated by the level of national social capital.

RSVP to Mr Lucas Madia at madiail@tut.ac.za or Phone 012 382 3077