Investigation of the Effect of Innovation Spillover on Economic Growth

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Hadi Keshavarz ¹
• Ramezan Hosseinzadeh ²

¹ Assistant professor, School of Business and Economics, Persian Gulf University, Busheher, Iran

² Assistant professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/erd.2023.80375.1159

Abstract

 
1- INTRODUCTION
Investigation of the importance and the impact of various factors on the economic growth of countries is crucial in short-term and long-term planning in various countries. Traditional theories and models of economic development only consider capital and labor as economic growth factors for nations and regions. Today, economists consider innovation, along with knowledge and technology, to be one of the fundamental variables in the economic development and development of countries.
Knowledge and innovation can generate social welfare in diverse regions and countries and contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth. In this regard, it is crucial to note that the path of innovation development varies across regions and countries, and that a distinct innovative geography is created based on these differences. The issue of inter-regional or inter-country spillover effects of various variables, such as innovation spillovers, is a second crucial aspect of economic growth and development planning in different regions or countries. Thus, innovation can impact both the economic development of the innovating country and the economic growth of neighboring countries with trade linkages to that country. Examination the spatial dimension of the problem will be crucial for determining how spillovers occur and their effectiveness in the innovation process as well as economic growth and development, whereas excluding inter-regional (inter-country) effects will bias the results and misleading results. On the other hand, considering the inter-regional (inter-country) effects of innovation and other variables in the model can help in the planning of regional development in different countries.
 
2- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
According to new theories, there are four distinct categories of innovation: product innovation, process innovation, organizational innovation, and marketing innovation. There is substantial evidence that various categories of innovation have distinct economic effects in countries. These differences are primarily attributable to variations in the level of pertinent externalities (spillovers) and the capacity of innovators to internalize the public benefits of these activities (fit). Thus, innovative knowledge penetrates the production process in two different ways. The first instance is when a company utilizes new technical knowledge developed during the production process. The second consequence is the spillovers of such knowledge. However, knowledge diffusion in other innovation institutions can only be observed once innovation and technology have reached a certain level.
The concept of knowledge spillover is closely associated with the correlation effect, where in the recipient of an innovation assimilates it to facilitate economic advancement. The spillover effect has the potential to yield beneficial outcomes by fostering innovation and facilitating economic progress, but it can also have negative consequences. The adverse impact of knowledge spillover primarily arises from external circumstances, as well as the inherent uncertainties and risks associated with research and development endeavors. Consequently, the inability of spillovers to fully realize the benefits of their research and development endeavors diminishes enterprises' motivation to allocate resources towards innovation. The positive impact of knowledge spillover is directed towards individuals or organizations that possess absorptive potential, enabling them to effectively assimilate and utilize sophisticated information and technology.
 
3- METHODOLOGY
The primary objective of the present study is to examine the direct and spillover effects of innovation on economic growth within the D8 group of countries during 2012 -2021. This investigation will be conducted through the utilization of a spatial econometric model. Spatial econometrics is widely regarded as a major development in the field of estimation, having emerged alongside the introduction of the "New Economic Geography (NEG)" theory. This technique is associated with the research conducted by Krugman (1991), Fujita, Krugman, and Venable (2001), as well as Venables and Puga (1998). The econometric models under consideration has the capability to incorporate both spillover and indirect impacts of variables, in addition to the direct effects that are typically addressed in classic econometrics.
 
4- RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Based on the results of the model, the direct effect of innovation index on economic growth has been positive and significant. Also, the indirect effects of this variable have been positive and significant. Therefore, it can be said that the amount of innovation in the studied countries has both domestic and international spillover effects (through the establishment of trade relations) on the economic growth of the countries.
 
5- CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS
Based on this, it is suggested that the studied countries pay special attention to the issue of innovation. Provide the necessary incentives to strengthen innovation in these countries, such as paying special attention to patents. Because having a patent is one of the motivating factors for innovation and further to achieve new technologies. This can be the basis for creating new processes in production, inventing new methods in countries. Paying attention to the spillover and indirect effects of innovation can also be very important. Based on this, it can be suggested that countries should pay attention to the fact that they prioritize the trade of goods with more knowledge (accumulation of knowledge and its transfer) in order to benefit more from the spillover effects of innovation. The higher the trade and especially the import of goods with knowledge and innovation, the countries can use the knowledge and innovation stored in these goods to strengthen knowledge and innovation within the country and economic growth will be strengthened.

Keywords

• innovation
• economic growth
• ؛ G8 countries
• spatial econometrics

Main Subjects

• Macroeconomics

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