Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101197 |
| Journal | Technology in Society |
| Volume | 59 |
| Early online date | 7 Sept 2019 |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2019 |
Abstract
Empirical methods applied in Regional Innovation System (RIS) research have two shortcomings. First, they usually have difficulties when it comes to explaining the interplay and relative importance of the elements of a RIS. Second, they are not capable of showing whether specific RIS can indeed be attributed to a pre-defined region. We draw on four contrasting regions in China exhibiting strong disparities with regard to innovation resources to examine how the “Analytic Hierarchy Process” (AHP), a comparative method widely used in business and management studies, can help to address these methodological shortcomings. Results show that in combination with qualitative analyses, the AHP can support empirical RIS research to decide whether or not a particular pre-defined RIS model can adequately describe empirical reality: the AHP evaluates the relative importance of both quantitative and qualitative RIS elements contributing to innovation in a pre-defined area through comparative expert assessments. Also drawing on sensitivity checks, the AHP is capable of providing a critical evaluation of the importance of both factors and spatial delimitations affecting innovation. The method thus informs theoretical development on the elements and spatial boundaries of RIS and helps empirical innovation research to apply the RIS framework in a more fruitful manner.
Keywords
- Analytic hierarchy process, China, Comparative research, Methods, Regional innovation systems
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Business and International Management
- Social Sciences(all)
- Education
- Social Sciences(all)
- Sociology and Political Science
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In: Technology in Society, Vol. 59, 101197, 11.2019.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Analytic Hierarchy Process as a methodological contribution to improve regional innovation system research
T2 - Explored through comparative research in China
AU - Heindl, Anna Barbara
AU - Liefner, Ingo
N1 - Funding Information: This project was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) [ DFG Gz. 981/15-1 ].
PY - 2019/11
Y1 - 2019/11
N2 - Empirical methods applied in Regional Innovation System (RIS) research have two shortcomings. First, they usually have difficulties when it comes to explaining the interplay and relative importance of the elements of a RIS. Second, they are not capable of showing whether specific RIS can indeed be attributed to a pre-defined region. We draw on four contrasting regions in China exhibiting strong disparities with regard to innovation resources to examine how the “Analytic Hierarchy Process” (AHP), a comparative method widely used in business and management studies, can help to address these methodological shortcomings. Results show that in combination with qualitative analyses, the AHP can support empirical RIS research to decide whether or not a particular pre-defined RIS model can adequately describe empirical reality: the AHP evaluates the relative importance of both quantitative and qualitative RIS elements contributing to innovation in a pre-defined area through comparative expert assessments. Also drawing on sensitivity checks, the AHP is capable of providing a critical evaluation of the importance of both factors and spatial delimitations affecting innovation. The method thus informs theoretical development on the elements and spatial boundaries of RIS and helps empirical innovation research to apply the RIS framework in a more fruitful manner.
AB - Empirical methods applied in Regional Innovation System (RIS) research have two shortcomings. First, they usually have difficulties when it comes to explaining the interplay and relative importance of the elements of a RIS. Second, they are not capable of showing whether specific RIS can indeed be attributed to a pre-defined region. We draw on four contrasting regions in China exhibiting strong disparities with regard to innovation resources to examine how the “Analytic Hierarchy Process” (AHP), a comparative method widely used in business and management studies, can help to address these methodological shortcomings. Results show that in combination with qualitative analyses, the AHP can support empirical RIS research to decide whether or not a particular pre-defined RIS model can adequately describe empirical reality: the AHP evaluates the relative importance of both quantitative and qualitative RIS elements contributing to innovation in a pre-defined area through comparative expert assessments. Also drawing on sensitivity checks, the AHP is capable of providing a critical evaluation of the importance of both factors and spatial delimitations affecting innovation. The method thus informs theoretical development on the elements and spatial boundaries of RIS and helps empirical innovation research to apply the RIS framework in a more fruitful manner.
KW - Analytic hierarchy process
KW - China
KW - Comparative research
KW - Methods
KW - Regional innovation systems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072089216&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101197
DO - 10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101197
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85072089216
VL - 59
JO - Technology in Society
JF - Technology in Society
SN - 0160-791X
M1 - 101197
ER -