The emergence of knowledge-based societies over the past decades has spurred research on the specific role of universities in innovation systems. The notion of academic entrepreneurship has gained acceptance among communities of researchers, practitioners and policy makers (Etzkowitz et al.,...

This paper reflects on the relevance of systems - theoretic approaches to the interdependent policy issues relating to the dynamics of science, technology and innovation and their relationship to economic growth. Considering the approach that characterizes much of the current economics...

The effect of a firm's size is analysed in relation with the probability of applying for a patent. We worked on the identification of a firm's minimum size, a threshold needed to formally protect an innovation by legal means. Below this minimum size the costs associated with protection are so...

Switzerland is one of the most competitive countries in the world. Commercially successful innovation activities are an essential part of this achievement. However, for two decades, Swiss innovation surveys have shown a significant decline in the number of R&D active companies among all...

This paper reflects on the relevance of 'systems-theoretic' approaches to the interdependent policy issues bearing on the dynamics of science, technology and innovation in their relationship to economic growth. Considering the approach that characterizes much of the current economics...