Inter-industry knowledge flows and sectoral networks in the economy of Malaysia

Abstract

This research probes the configuration of technological systems in terms of inter-sectoral knowledge and intermediate goods exchanges based on a case study of 21 industry sectors in the economy of Malaysia. The case study draws on a network analysis of sectoral knowledge flows survey data and input–output exchange statistics. The results show that knowledge acquisition and dissemination networks are relatively more intra-sector, denser, and centralized than goods exchange networks, which can affect how innovations spread through the economy. Knowledge networks, however, are more likely to form sub-networks with potentially diverse capabilities and influence on the technological system. This adds new information and value for knowledge-based sectoral investment strategies.

Keywords:

• Malaysia
• innovation policy
• inter-organizational
• knowledge acquisition
• knowledge dissemination
• sectoral networks

Acknowledgements

This research draws on work undertaken in the project on Knowledge Content in Key Economic Sectors in Malaysia (Phase II) by Intelligent Information Systems Corporation and the Georgia Tech Technology Policy and Assessment Center for the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister's Department, Malaysia. Additional support for methodological development and publication of results was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under Cooperative Agreement Numbers 0531184 and 0938099. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Planning Unit or NSF.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luciano Kay

About the authors

Luciano Kay, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at the University of California Santa Barbara (CNS-UCSB) and a Research Associate with the Georgia Tech Program in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP), Georgia Institute of Technology. His research is on economic development, science and technology, and innovation policy issues with current focus on emerging technologies such as nanotechnology. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Jan Youtie

Jan Youtie, Ph.D. is a Director of Research Policy at the Enterprise Innovation Institute, a co-Director of the Program in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, U.S.A. She is a co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on technology-based economic development, analysis of emerging technologies, and manufacturing modernization.

Philip Shapira

Philip Shapira is Professor of Innovation, Management and Policy at the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, U.K., and Professor of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, U.S.A. He directed the project on Knowledge Content in Key Economic Sectors in Malaysia. His interests include technology and innovation management, industry analysis, regional innovation, and policy evaluation. He leads the Research and Innovation Systems Assessment component of the Center for Nanotechnology in Society (CNS-ASU).