Determinants of the Innovation Propensity in Tunisia: the Central Role of External Knowledge Sources

Mohamed Ayadi (1, 2, 3) , Mohieddine Rahmouni (4) , Murat Yildizoglu (5)

1 ISG - Institut supérieur de gestion
2 Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales de Tunis
3 GATE - Groupe d'analyse et de théorie économique
4 GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée
5 GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille

This article is dedicated to the analysis of the first innovation survey of the Tunisian firms. Starting from basic mechanisms of innovation processes, we test a set of conjectures adapted to a developing country like Tunisia. We analyze the motivation of firms to innovate and the determinants of product and process innovations. Our results show that firms must benefit from external knowledge sources in order to exhibit significant innovation propensities. The large size is also a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for innovation. We also notice that the participation of the State plays an harmful role.

Mots clés: Innovation; development; absorptive capacity; learning

Domaines: Economies et finances

Mohamed Ayadi, Mohieddine Rahmouni, Murat Yildizoglu. Determinants of the Innovation Propensity in Tunisia: the Central Role of External Knowledge Sources. 2009. ⟨halshs-00368560⟩