Technological interweavement: a means of achieving innovation success

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, results are presented of an empirical study of the Lake Constance region covering a sample of 848 manufacturing companies. Based upon multivariate analyses, the paper documents that the mobilization of external resources and know‐how is a critical factor for a firm's technological innovation success which in turn is the main determinant of commercial innovation success. The findings show that there are three kinds of technology‐oriented external relationships, which prove to be of special importance: close contacts with customers, linkages to universities and research institutes and R&D‐cooperations with other companies.