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Internationalisation and innovation in the knowledge-intensive business services

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Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the link between the distinct degree of internationalisation and the innovation activities of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBSs). The empirical results suggest that there are differences between the groups of KIBS analysed, particularly with regards to their characteristics, innovation activities, use of source of knowledge, use of advanced technologies and value-added practices, and innovation outputs. However, these differences are not always systematic. There is a noticeable tendency for domestic establishments to perform more weakly with regards to innovation-related activities and innovation outputs than international establishments, but also between KIBS that have different degrees of international activities.

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Notes

  1. It is not the intention of the paper to analyse the motivations for internationalisation or the process and paths of internationalisation in KIBS.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council in Canada (SSHRC 410-2011-0108) and Industry Canada. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Réjean Landry to the elaboration of the survey and Richard Shearmur for comments on first drafts of the paper. The usual disclaimers apply.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, 55 Laurier East, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada

    David Doloreux

  2. KEDGE Business School, 680 cours de la Libération, 33405, Talence, France

    David Doloreux

  3. John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, 1450 Guy St., Montréal, QC, H3H 0A1, Canada

    Anika Laperrière

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  1. David Doloreux
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  2. Anika Laperrière
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Correspondence to David Doloreux.

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Doloreux, D., Laperrière, A. Internationalisation and innovation in the knowledge-intensive business services. Serv Bus 8, 635–657 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-013-0211-0

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