Analysis of the role of process innovation on export propensity in KIBS and non-KIBS firms in Colombia

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the process innovation on export propensity in knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) firms and non-KIBS firms in Colombia. Design/methodology/approach For the empirical application, the authors use a unique primary data set drawn from the Global Competitiveness Project (GCP: www.gcp.org) that includes information for 57 Colombian KIBS for 2019. The authors use a binary choice model to test the proposed hypotheses on the relevance of KIBS and process innovation in explaining export propensity. Findings The results showed a positive relationship between KIBS and business size with an export propensity, but this relationship is non-meaningful. Also, the findings showed a negative and non-significant relationship between a process innovation and business age with the probability to export. On the other hand, the evidence state that KIBS firms encourage the relationship between propensity to export and process innovation, which is to say that they are highly effective to increase the propensity to export. Finally, the industry increases the probability of export propensity. Originality/value This study offers a new insight relating to KIBS, process innovation and their contribution to increasing export propensity. The findings of this paper offer relevant information to government policymakers to design strategies that promote export activity in Colombia.

Pulling from the front or pushing from behind: how competency prioritisation should differ to optimise firm competitiveness

“…The objective of the GCP is to analyse business competitiveness by using composite indicators (Lafuente et al , 2020). Recent work by Alonso-Ubieta and Leiva (2019), Moreno-Gómez and Lafuente (2019), Bayon and Aguilera (2020), Horváth and Lafuente (2020), Lafuente et al (2020) and Moreno-Gómez et al (2020) corroborate the validity and robustness of the GCP databases.…”

Identifying the Role of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services in the Korean Economy as a Sustainable Innovation Tool Using Input–Output Analysis

“…Research has focused on the impact of KIBSs on innovation and economic growth in subunits of economic systems, such as industries [6,17,18], regions [46], and countries, based on the scope of KIBSs support or demand. These studies have often focused on specific outcomes, including internationalization and export orientation, and have examined the implications of the KIBS sector on various facets of economic systems [16,47]. While these studies vary in their emphasis on different aspects of KIBS support and target demand, they consistently conclude that KIBSs play a supportive role in innovation and economic growth.…”

“…While these studies vary in their emphasis on different aspects of KIBS support and target demand, they consistently conclude that KIBSs play a supportive role in innovation and economic growth. Differences in the extent of innovation are attributed to factors such as the size and age of businesses [16,47,48], the maturity of the workforce, and the concentration of intellectual resources [46].…”

The Exports of Knowledge Intensive Services: A Complex Metric Approach

“…Some bibliographic sources are analyzed below that deal with the theme of exporting services with high intensity of knowledge considering the impacts on GDP at country level and on firms' productivity. [1] analyze the role of process innovation activity in the propensity to export knowledge-intensive services to Colombia. The results show the existence of a positive relationship between the size of the company and the propensity to export knowledgeintensive services.…”