Conference: The innovation system of the Spanish Tile district: A systematic approach. Gabaldón-Estevan, D., Molina-Morales, F.X. and Fernández-de-Lucio I.; 9th International CINet Conference. Valencia (Spain) 8-9th September 2008.

1. THE INNOVATION SYSTEM OF THE SPANISH TILE
DISTRICT: A SYSTEMIC APPROACH
Daniel Gabaldón Estevan | Valencia, 08/09/2008
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management

2. 2
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management
• Theoretical framework
• Research purposes
• The District Innovation System of
Castellón
• Productive/Technological/Science
environments interactions
• Conclusions

3. 3
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management
Theoretical framework 1
Innovation System
Structure and
interactions.
Relevance of the
external sources for
knowledge
development and
innovation
(Dosi, Pavitt and
Soete 1990;
Lundvall, 1992
or Edquist 1997)
Industrial District
Group of SMEs in a
specific territory, where
specialization and
interdependence are
high between them and
with different agents
and institutions
(Becattini 1990,
Brusco 1990)
District Innovation System

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Theoretical framework 2
District Innovation System
• Face-to-face contact & physical proximity which
facilitates interaction and the transfer of resources
and knowledge;
• The critical value of districts has more to do with
social or relational resources than with tangible
externalities or physical infrastructures;
• The leading players are not only ceramic tile
producers but also suppliers as well as a wide range
of institutions (universities, trade associations,
industrial policy agents…)

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Research Purposes
• Indicate the special features of the innovation
system in the territorially bounded industrial
district;
• Better understand the particular case of the
innovation system of the Spanish tile district

6. 6
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management
The District Innovation System of Castellón
(Adapted from Fernandez-de-Lucio et al. 1996 )

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The interactions

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The sampling

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Comparing the aggregates
90%
R&D
Mainly by
a sole
company

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Comparing the innovative vs. non-innovative 1
Size shows a positive &
significant correlation
Inside the district innovating does
not mean better results



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Control of findings (ceramic & frit companies)
<<<=
>>
=

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Conclusions
• Technological innovation are mainly done by frit and
glaze companies, the real drivers of innovation process.
• Those are also the companies that interact the most
with the scientific environment, particularly in R&D.
• Little use of patents as a protective mechanism, when
they do there is little cooperation and is used to protect
suppliers from competitors.
• Ceramic tile producers focus on non-technological
innovations.
• Difficulties on differentiating products because of an
internal market of technological innovations.
• Heterogeneity and poor data sources on innovation of
the companies have restricted the analysis.
• We expect to expand this research by adding data on
firms’ access to external innovation sources.

13. TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr yyoouurr aatttteennttiioonn
www.ingenio.upv.es
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management
Daniel Gabaldón Estevan
INGENIO (CSIC-UPV)
Camino de Vera s/n
46022 Valencia
SPAIN
dagalbal@ingenio.upv.es