Delft University
of Technology
Measuring and explaining the performance of
regional innovation frameworks
Rob Konings
Erik Louw
Brussels, 19 March, 2015
Objectives and steps
Objective:
To measure, compare and explain
performance of regions (NUTS 2 level)
the
transport
innovation
Steps:
• Development of a conceptual framework to measure and explain
innovation performance
• Operationalisation of the measurement framework: indicators
• Analytical tool for the measurement: Structural Equation Modeling
• Mapping of results
• Interpretation of results
Measurement frameworks for innovation:
Union Innovation Scoreboard (UIS)
Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS)
Adapted framework to measure and explain
innovation performance
Conceptual model structure with indicators
1. Spec.transport research
2. Cluster quality
3. Population density
4. Enterprises co-operating
5. % high educated persons
Innovation
milieu
6. % jobs in ST workforce
1. % innovative enterprises
Innovation
achievements
7. % jobs TK workforce
2. % high innovative enterprises
3. Patent counts
8. Education total labour force
4. Products new to market
1. Firms obt. public funding
5. Products new to firm
2. Public R&D expenditures
Innovation
funding
6. Turnover from innovations
3. Business R&D expenditures
4. Govern. R&D in transport
1. Average firm size
2. % man/serv employment
3. Level transport specialisation
Transport sector
structure
Economic
performing
1. GVA growth TS
2. Employment growth TS
3. Labor product. growth TS
Results for the ‘total transport sector’
Scores ‘Innovation achievements’
Results for the ‘transport manufacturing sector’
Scores ‘Innovation achievements’
Results for the ‘transport service sector’
Scores ‘Innovation achievements’
Conclusions
• Innovation performance of the total transport sector in regions can be
mapped, but it is important to look at the performance of subsectors:
transport manufacturing and services
• Innovation performance of regions in the manufacturing sector shows
more regional variation in countries than in the service sector
• Funding has greatest impact on innovation achievements, but seems
more determined by national than regional possibilities
• Role of transport sector structure on innovation achievements is in
transport manufacturing more important than in the service sector
• Marginal role of innovation milieu for the innovation performance is
striking