nep-net New Economics Papers
on Network Economics
Issue of 2006‒03‒18
three papers chosen by
Yi-Nung Yang
Chung Yuan Christian University

  1. Networks of Small Producers for Technological Innovation: Some Models By Chandra Pankaj
  2. Scientific Networks and Co-authorship By Marcel Fafchamps; Marco J. van der Leij; Sanjeev Goyal
  3. Communautarist networks in African rainforests By Jean-Marc Roda; Nsitou Mabiala

  1. By: Chandra Pankaj
    Abstract: Small producers face a variety of challenges - some related to markets and others related to capabilities. Inability to develop technological capabilities has often restricted small firms from growing large. In this paper, we present learning from three global networks , i.e., TAMA in Japan, Wenzhou in China and Rajkot in India, that have adopted a variety of mechanisms of coordination between small producers and has led to both capability enhancement and demand enhancement. We argue that the capability enhancement effects play as significant a role as demand enhancement effects in the growth of small firms. Coordination that allows firms to improve their capabilities enhances both productivity as well as innovative capabilities to develop new products and processes. The paper, with the help of these three case studies, presents a generic model for SME development that is based on acquiring distinctive capabilities and linkages with other small producers or other members of the supply chain. We propose distinctive determinants of a collaborative model for engaging SMEs in technological innovation over a period of time. These are : Focus of the Firm, Interactive Producers, Processing and Product Manufacturing, Innovation Investment, Markets, Market Makers (and market making processes), and Regulatory Support.
    Date: 2006–03–07
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:2006-03-02&r=net
  2. By: Marcel Fafchamps; Marco J. van der Leij; Sanjeev Goyal
    Abstract: Using a database of all published articles in economic journals over the last 30 years, we investigate the determinants of scientific co-authorship. We find that, controlling for pair-wise fixed effects and author productivity, a new collaboration emerges faster if the two authors are more closely connected, either directly or indirectly, through collaborations with others. This effect is strong and robust. It is consistent with a referral model of the formation of scientific collaborations. We also find that large differences in research output between authors favor co-authorship, suggesting that scientific collaboration is more likely between authors with dissimilar ability and experience. This effect disappears if we limit the data to highly productive authors.
    Keywords: Job Referral, Networks, Assortative Matching, Scientific Collaboration, Academia, Economics
    JEL: J41 L14
    Date: 2006
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:wpaper:256&r=net
  3. By: Jean-Marc Roda; Nsitou Mabiala
    Abstract: Since the 1970s world trade in unprocessed wood or preprocessed wood reached a stable level between 150 and 200 million m3, while, since 1985, world consumption varies between 3.2 and 3.4 billion m3 annually1. Thus, woodwork networks seem to be caught between two worlds with virtually independent structures, on the one hand, in developed countries, and, on the other hand, in developing countries. However, this apparent period of stabilization was undoubtedly a period of development, preparing the implementation of new organizations of production, whose forerunners emerge since the mid-1990s. The determining criteria are the ability to react and the rigorous response to demand. The very flexible strategies of supply and the mobility of capital are organized by companies on a global scale, which casts doubts on forest policies.
    JEL: L73
    Date: 2004–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:epf:wpaper:40400&r=net

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