Innovation Networks in the German Laser Industry

Dr. Muhamed Kudic was a PhD fellow and Post Doc researcher at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), Department for Structural Economics. He successfully defended his doctoral thesis in December 2012 at the University of Hohenheim, Germany. He currently holds position as scientific advisor at the Stifterverband, Department for Statistical Analysis. His main fields of occupation are economics and management of innovation drawing on microeconometric estimation approaches and stochastic simulation techniques. His research focuses on the structural evolution of interorganizational innovation networks. He is particularly interested in the analysis of causes and consequences of network change processes in science-driven industries.

• Introduction and Theoretical Background: Introduction.- Theoretical Background.- Industry, Data and Methods: Laser Technology and the German Laser Industry.- Methodological Reflections and Data Sources.- Quantitative Concepts and Measures.- Dataset Design and Estimation Methods.- Descriptive Analysis: Industry Dynamics and Geographical Concentration.- Evolution of the Industry's Innovation Network.- Econometric Analysis: Causes and Consequences of Network Evolution.- Ego Networks and Firm Innovativeness.- Small World Patterns and Firm Innovativeness.- Network Positioning, Co-Location or Both?.- Summary, Conclusion and Outlook: Findings and Limitations.- Further Research and Conclusions.