Skip to main content
Disciplines
Automotive Business IT + Informatics Construction + Real Estate Electrical Engineering + Electronics Energy + Sustainability Insurance + Risk Finance + Banking Management + Leadership Marketing + Sales Mechanical Engineering + Materials
Events
DE
EN
Books
Journals
Topic Page
Marketing
Start single access now
Access for companies
EXTENDED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Published in:
Introduction Read chapter Read first chapter

2015 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

2. Innovation in Low-Tech Industries: Current Conditions and Future Prospects

Author : Hartmut Hirsch-Kreinsen

Published in: Low-tech Innovation

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This paper deals with an industrial sector that will be referred to as “low-technology” or non-research-intensive and that comprises mostly mature industries. In recent years, a growing body of innovation literature has dealt with the relevance and prospects of low- and medium-technology (LMT) in advanced economies. This research focus is above all motivated by criticism of the mainstream of innovation debate with its high-tech focus. However, LMT research can instructively show that non-research-intensive industries are surprisingly innovative and play an essential role for the development of modern economies. Following the literature, the industrial LMT sector holds forward-looking innovation potential based on both the intelligent modification of available technologies and existing knowledge and their combination with new high-tech components. Therefore, the research findings outlined here culminate in the thesis that “hybrid” innovations open up promising development perspectives for traditional industries. Hybrid innovations are understood to be innovations based on distinct market-oriented modifications of available technologies and of existing knowledge as well as especially on their combination with new high-tech components. The methodological base of the argumentation is a systematic analysis of LMT industry research results from approximately the last 10 years.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now
previous chapter Introduction
next chapter Economic Relevance and the Future Potential of Non-R&D-Intensive Industries
Literature
Abel, J., Hirsch-Kreinsen, H., & Ittermann, P. (2009). Made simple in Germany? Entwicklungsverläufe industrieller Einfacharbeit. WSI Mitteilungen, 11(2009), 579–585.
Arundel, A., Bordoy, C., & Kanerva, M. (2008). Neglected innovators: How do innovative firms that do not perform R&D innovate? Results of an analysis of the Innobarometer 2007 Survey No. 215, INNO-Metrics Thematic Paper. MERIT March 31.
Bender, G., & Laestadius, S. (2005). Non-science based innovativeness: On capabilities relevant to generate profitable novelty. In: G. Bender, D. Jacobson, & P. L. Robertson (Eds.), Non-research-intensive industries in the knowledge economy. Perspectives on Economic Political and Social Integration, Special Edition XI, No 1–2, 123–170.
Bender, G., Jacobson, D., & Robertson, P. L. (Eds.) (2005). Non-research-intensive industries in the knowledge economy. Perspectives on Economic Political and Social Integration, Special Edition XI, No 1–2.
Burianek, F., Ihl, C., & Reichwald, R. (2007). Vertragsgestaltung im Kontext hybrider Wertschöpfung. Arbeitsbericht Nr. 2/2007 des Lehrstuhls für Betriebswirtschaftslehre der TU München.
Chen, L.-C. (2009). Learning through informal local and global linkages: The case of Taiwan's machine tool industry. Research Policy, 38(3), 527–535.CrossRef
Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990). Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35, 128–152.CrossRef
Community Innovation Survey (CIS). (2004). Innovation in Europe. Results for the EU, Iceland and Norway. Data 1998–2001. Luxembourg.
Cox, H., Frenz, M., & Prevezer, M. (2002). Patterns of innovation in UK industry: Exploring the CIS data to contrast high and low technology industries. Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, 13(1–3), 267–304.
Evangelista, R., & Mastrostefano, V. (2006). Firm size, sectors and countries as sources of variety in innovation. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 15(3), 247–270.CrossRef
Fagerberg, J. (2005). Innovation: A guide to the literature. In J. Fagerberg, D. Mowery, & R. R. Nelson (Eds.), The oxford handbook of innovation (pp. 1–27). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Freddi, D. (2008). Technology fusion and organizational structures in low- and medium-tech companies. In H. Hirsch-Kreinsen & D. Jacobson (Eds.), Innovation in low-tech firms and industries (pp. 140–159). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Freddi, D. (2009). The integration of old and new technological paradigms in LMT sectors: The case of mechatronics. Research Policy, 38(3), 548–558.CrossRef
Ghosal, V., & Nair-Reichert, U. (2009). Investments in modernization, innovation and gains in productivity: Evidence from firms in the global paper industry. Research Policy, 38(3), 536–547.CrossRef
Grimpe, C., & Sofka, W. (2009). Search patterns and absorptive capacity: Low- and high-technology sectors in European countries. Research Policy, 38(3), 495–506.CrossRef
Hansen, T., & Winther, L. (2011). Innovation, regional development and relations between high- and low-tech industries. European Urban and Regional Studies, 18(3), 321–339.CrossRef
Hauknes, J., & Knell, M. (2009). Embodied knowledge and sectoral linkages: An input–output approach to the interaction of high- and low-tech industries. Research Policy, 38(3), 459–469.CrossRef
Heidenreich, M. (2009). Innovation in European low- and medium-technology industries. Research Policy, 38(3), 483–494.CrossRef
Henderson, R. M., & Clark, K. B. (1990). Architectural innovation: The reconfiguration of existing product technologies and the failure of established firms. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(1), 9–30.CrossRef
Hirsch-Kreinsen, H. (2008). “Low-tech” innovations. Industry & Innovation, 15(1), 19–43.CrossRef
Hirsch-Kreinsen, H., & Schwinge, I. (2014). Knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in low-tech industries. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.CrossRef
Hirsch-Kreinsen, H., Jacobson, D., & Robertson, P. L. (2006). Innovativeness and development perspectives – A summary of a European research project. Prometheus, 24(1), 3–21.CrossRef
Huang, C., Arundel, A., & Hollanders, H. (2010). How firms innovate: R&D, non-R&D, and technology adaption. The UNU-Merit Working papers series, 2010-027.
Huston, L., & Sakkab, N. (2006). Connect and develop. Harvard Business Review, 84(3), 58–66.
Kaloudis, A., Sandven, T., & Smith, K. (2005). Structural change, growth and innovation: the roles of medium and low-tech industries 1980–2000. In: G. Bender, D. Jacobson, & P. L. Robertson (Eds.), Non-research-intensive industries in the knowledge economy. Perspectives on Economic Political and Social Integration. Special Edition, XI, No 1–2, 49–74.
Kirner, E., Lay, G., & Kinkel, S. (2008). The relevance of services for high-, medium- and low-tech firms – an empirical analysis in German industry. In H. Hirsch-Kreinsen & D. Jacobson (Eds.), Innovation in low-tech firms and industries (pp. 175–193). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Kirner, E., Kinkel, S., & Jaeger, A. (2009). Innovation paths and the innovation performance of low-technology firms – An empirical analysis of German industry. Research Policy, 38(3), 447–458.CrossRef
Lichtenthaler, U. (2009). Absorptive capacity, environmental turbulence, and the complementarity of organizational learning processes. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 822–846.CrossRef
Malerba, F. (2005). Sectoral systems: How and why innovation differs across sectors. In J. Fagerberg, D. Mowery, & R. R. Nelson (Eds.), The oxford handbook of innovation (pp. 380–406). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Maskell, P. (1998). Low-tech competitive advantages and the role of proximity: The Danish wooden furniture industry. European Urban and Regional Studies, 5(2), 99–118.CrossRef
McKelvey, M. (2001). The economic dynamics of software: Three competing business models exemplified though Microsoft, Netscape and Linux. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 11, 127–164.
Mendonςa, S. (2009). Brave old world: Accounting for ‘high-tech’ knowledge in ‘low-tech’ industries. Research Policy, 38(3), 470–482.CrossRef
Menrad, K. (2004). Innovations in the food industry in Germany. Research Policy, 33(6–7), 845–878.CrossRef
Nouman, M., Warren, L., & Thomas, S. R. (2011). Researching the 'forgotten sector': Low and medium tech (LMT) innovation – Present light on future trends. Proceedings of the 1st International Technology Management Conference. ITMC 2011, 103–113.
OECD. (1999). Science, technology and industry scoreboard. Paris: OECD Publications.
Palmberg, C. (2001). Sectoral patterns of innovation and competence requirements – a closer look at low-tech industries. Sitra Report Series No. 8. Helsinki.
Pavitt, K. (1984). Sectoral patterns of technical change: Towards a taxonomy and a theory. Research Policy, 13, 343–373.CrossRef
Potters, L. (2009). R&D in LowTech sectors, IPTS Working Paper on Corporate R&D and Innovation No.08/2009. Joint Research Centre – Institute for Prospective Technological Studies. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. Luxembourg.
Rammer, C., Kinkel, S., Kirner, E., Köhler, C., Murmann, M., Pesau, A., Schubert, T., Schwiebacher, F., Som, O. (2011). Innovationen ohne Forschung und Entwicklung. Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem Nr. 15-2011. Hannover/Karlsruhe.
Robertson, P. L., & Patel, P. (2007). New wine in old bottles: Technological diffusion in developed economies. Research Policy, 36(5), 708–721.CrossRef
Robertson, P. L., Smith, K., & von Tunzelmann, N. (Eds.). (2009a). Innovation in low- and medium-technology industries. Research Policy, 38(3), Special Issue, 441–570.
Robertson, P. L., Smith, K., & von Tunzelmann, N. (2009). Innovation in low- and medium-technology industries. Research Policy, 38(3), 441–446.CrossRef
Santamaria, L., Nieto, M. J., & Barge-Gil, A. (2009). Beyond formal R&D: Taking advantage of other sources of innovation in low- and medium-technology industries. Research Policy, 38(3), 507–517.CrossRef
Simon, H. (2011). Die Wirtschaftstrends der Zukunft. Frankfurt/New York: Campus.
Som, O. (2012). Innovation patterns of non-R&D-performing firms in the German manufacturing industry. Wiesbaden: Gabler.
Som, O., Kinkel, S., & Jäger, A. (2011). Innovationsstrategien jenseits von Forschung und Entwicklung. Mitteilungen aus der ISI-Erhebung Modernsierung der Produktion, 55. Karlsruhe.
Teece, D., & Pisano, G. (1994). The dynamic capabilites of firms: An introduction. Industrial and Corporate Change, 3, 537–556.CrossRef
von Tunzelmann, N., & Acha, V. (2005). Innovation in “low-tech” industries. In J. Fagerberg, D. Mowery, & R. R. Nelson (Eds.), The oxford handbook of innovation (pp. 407–432). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wooldridge, A. (2011). Masters of management: How the business Gurus and their ideas have changed the world – for better and for worse. New York: HarperBusiness.
Metadata
Title
Innovation in Low-Tech Industries: Current Conditions and Future Prospects
Author
Hartmut Hirsch-Kreinsen
Copyright Year
2015
Book
Low-tech Innovation

Print ISBN: 978-3-319-09972-9

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-09973-6

Copyright Year: 2015

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09973-6_2