Knut Blind

Technische Universität Berlin | TUB · Institut für Technologie und Management (ITM)

This paper introduces a novel measure of software innovation based on open source software (OSS) development activity on GitHub. We examine the dependency growth and release complexity among $\sim$200,000 unique releases from 28,000 unique packages across the JavaScript, Python, and Ruby ecosystems over two years post-release. We find that major ve...

This chapter looks at the major priorities and challenges for innovation and intellectual property, and the various public policy tools that governments use in which IP plays an enabling role. It then delves into governance considerations and examines various ministerial responsibility models. This includes how countries organize the policy over...

Transdisciplinarity is an integrative approach that includes different scientific disciplines as well as stakeholders and researchers to tackle both societal and scientific challenges. Since standards are jointly developed by science, business, and other stakeholders, standardization can be perceived as a specific mode of transdisciplinarity. In th...

With the rise of alternative sustainable powertrain technologies, the mobility paradigm has undergone fundamental changes in recent years. In the wake of the ongoing transition of the road-vehicle sector, fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) have received increased political attention. However, they constitute only a tiny fraction of total road vehicles nowad...

Innovation is changing in several dimensions. First, initially closed innovation processes are complemented by various forms of open innovation. Second, innovation was never per-formed only by companies, but more and more other actors, like users via crowdsourcing or non-governmental organisations, get strategically involved. As a result, knowledge...

Economic research emphasises the role of increasing returns to scale and critical mass in research and technology development. This suggests that countries benefit from specialising in certain technologies and can thereby bundle available resources. Using the example of the Exzellenzstrategie and the Zukunftsstrategie, we argue that German RTI poli...

Climate change and the pressure to decarbonize, as well as energy security concerns, have drawn the attention of policymakers and the industry to hydrogen energy. To advance the hydrogen economy at a global scale, research and innovation progress is of significant importance, among others. However, previous studies have provided only limited quanti...

The digitalization of public services is one of the major challenges that public administrations are currently facing. Electronic identifications play a major role for a variety of these related services. Due to the impact these services will have on the daily life of citizens, organizations, and the public at large, the social dimensions must be c...

This article draws on the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct to examine whether injunctive social norms relating to perceived environmental management practices shape employees’ self-reported pro-environmental behaviour in their private sphere. To test our hypotheses, we employed a mixed methods research approach that involved a cross-sectional anal...

Standards play a crucial role in the transition to more sustainable production and consumption models by promoting the development of new markets for innovative products. In the case of the bioeconomy, standards are particularly relevant to ensure the sustainability of products and processes. Hence, standards represent an essential strategic tool t...

Global Value Chains (GVC) have reshaped the landscape of international trade. The quality and intensity of regulation significantly impacts firms' competitiveness and their ability to engage in GVC. Economic literature suggests that regulation of product market competition has a detrimental effect on trade by decreasing productivity, innovation, an...

Open Source Software (OSS) has become an increasingly important knowledge asset in modern economies. However, the economic impact of OSS on countries’ GDP is ambivalent due to its public good character. Using a cross-country panel from 2000 to 2018, including 25 of the largest EU countries plus the USA, Japan, Korea, Canada, China, Norway, and Swit...

Clean technologies play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the climate. Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier and fuel that can be used in many applications. We explore the global hydrogen technological innovation system (TIS) by analyzing the three knowledge and technology transfer channels of publications, patents...

Not only governmental regulation but also voluntary standards developed within co- or self-regulatory processes can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, we analyze this contribution with a focus on formal standard-setting in the European Union. First, we review the limited literatu...

Objetiva identificar oportunidades para melhorar as cadeias de valor do Grande ABC com base na análise dos investimentos e políticas industriais da Alemanha. Sua contribuição final será a proposta de uma agenda de desenvolvimento inclusiva e sustentável.

Standards played a central role in the quality infrastructure that supported the international reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and were a cornerstone in managing new technology in times of crisis. They fostered the resilience of value chains, enabled the global production and distribution of medical equipment, and supported the reliable operation...

This book examines various policies, including the legal and commercial aspects of the Open Source phenomenon. Here, ‘Open Source’ is adopted as convenient shorthand for a collection of diverse users and communities, whose differences can be as great as their similarities. The common thread is their reliance on, and use of, law and legal mechanisms...

This book examines various policies, including the legal and commercial aspects of the Open Source phenomenon. Here, ‘Open Source’ is adopted as convenient shorthand for a collection of diverse users and communities, whose differences can be as great as their similarities. The common thread is their reliance on, and use of, law and legal mechanisms...

Purpose This study aims to draw on goal contagion theory to examine how organizations shape the pro-environmental behavior of their employees. It extends the scope of analysis beyond organizational boundaries and illustrates the external effects of organizational practices that support societal change. The fundamental research question is whether p...

The energy transition is characterized by decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization trends in the electricity sector, increasing the demand for novel technologies and innovation. Nevertheless, there are still challenges in the electricity sector to provide proper innovation incentives, often attributed to the slow technological dynamics...

Firms use a variety of practices to disclose the knowledge generated by their R&D activities, including, but not limited to, publishing findings in scientific journals, patenting new technologies, and contributing to developing standards. While the individual effects of engaging in the listed practices on firm innovation are well-understood, the ex...

The COVID-19 pandemic posed new and manifold challenges to organizations and their operations worldwide. Conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as testing or medical laboratories, certification, and inspection bodies, were also affected by the associated disruptions. Their role in this crisis is highly relevant, as CABs are essential pillars of...

Formal standards codify knowledge. Next to patents representing the generation of innovative knowledge, standards can hence be used to proxy the diffusion of innovative knowledge in macroeconomic growth models. Previous work mainly investigates the positive impact of in particular patents, but also standards on economic growth in short term, single...

Several studies investigating the trade effects of standardization have found a positive impact of the number of international standards in a country on its trade volumes. While international standards have so far been considered as exogenous, we investigate what drives countries to take over leading roles, i.e. secretariats, in committees of the I...

The 5G ecosystem in the EU is highly complex and multi-faceted with a range of competing interests and stakeholders and hence, makes the assessment of policy measures quite difficult. This paper attempts to clarify and make more accessible as well as tangible, which innovation ‘failures’ are applicable to the case of the roll-out of 5G in the EU an...

This paper examines the relationship between patenting and formal standardization participation. We review the existing literature on the motivations and barriers to patenting and participation in formal standardization. Based on conceptual considerations derived in the literature review, propositions regarding the relations between patenting and s...

Global supply chains rely on the compliance and safety of their products, processes, and facilities. These vital services (often referred to as ‘quality assurance’ or ‘conformity assessment’ services) are provided by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). This empirical study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CABs as well as their respo...

This paper aims at mapping machinery value chains in Brazil to check the validity of the smiling curve and the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, investigating opportunities for upgrading. The empirical methodology is based on qualitative research among 50 machinery manufacturing companies in three steps: online survey, interviews, and poll. The main...

Publications, patents, standard-essential patents (SEPs), and standard contributions are important indicators for the drivers in the technology development of 5G. However, current 5G technology reports predominately draw on patent data to identify technology developing organizations, ignoring the importance of publications and standard contribution...

Standard-setting organizations (SSOs) establish goal-directed networks for innovators to jointly shape technology and markets through standards. The degree to which this can succeed depends to a large extent on network characteristics, which may differ substantially between SSOs. Many technological fields face intense competition between SSOs. Choo...

This paper employs the concept of ‘Gold’ (financial rewards), ‘Ribbon’ (reputational/career rewards) and ‘Puzzle’ (intrinsic satisfaction) to structure engineers’ motivation for pursuing scientific publications, patenting and contributing to standardization. This study is based on the responses to a survey of engineers employed by two German Origin...

This report presents a framework for the systematic monitoring of the global hydrogen economy, suggesting data sources and indicators to systematically survey the most important trends and developments. Monitoring based on this framework could provide an important knowledge base for the continuous review of policy measures related to the German and...

This policy brief outlines the potential benefits and challenges of including international quality standards as technical requirements in the design of public auctions, highlighting the crucial role of the Quality Infrastructure (QI) system in newcomer countries. Key lessons learnt are synthesised from international experiences with technical requ...

This paper introduces the concept of standard-relevant publications, complementary to standard-essential patents and framed by the concept of knowledge utilization. By analyzing the reference lists of the around 20,000 standards released by ISO, authors of scientific papers cited in standards who are working at German institutions were identified....

Previous research has expressed concerns about firms engaging less in basic research. We contribute to this debate by studying trends in the scientific publishing activities of firms located in Germany. Our results indicate that the firms’ aggregate volume of scientific publications stayed constant between 2008 and 2016. However, the number and sha...

Patents in information and communication technologies (ICTs) are important instruments for protecting companies’ inventions and to appropriate the value of the related inventions. However, the increasing dynamics and complexity in ICTs are challenging the effectiveness of patents. Based on a review of the literature and interviews with relevant sta...

Der Beitrag zeigt nach einem einleitenden Kapitel mit den wichtigsten Definitionen zunächst die verschiedenen innovationsfördernden Effekte von Standards auf. Anschließend werden die wichtigsten Markt- und Systemversagensgründe bezüglich Innovation vorgestellt und die Potenziale der Standardisierung zu deren Behebung herausgearbeitet. Abschließend...

As tecnologias em rápido crescimento que estão mudando os paradigmas produtivos mundiais (manufatura avançada, indústria 4.0, internet das coisas (IoT), robotização, inteligência artificial, digitalização etc.) estão associadas a cadeias de valor de máquinas e equipamentos (M&E) (HALLWARD-DRIEMEIER; NAYYAR, 2018). Inicialmente consideradas como cad...

The paper presents factors influencing the hazard rate of spin-offs, which emerged from Fraunhofer Venture, the venture capitalist of the Fraunhofer Society. To identify these survival factors, we conduct a cox proportional hazard analysis on the full set ofall 106 spin-offs that Fraunhofer Venture had in its portfolio at the time our research was...

Despite the growing dependence of companies on information technology and the increasingly negative impact of security incidents worldwide, there is little research on the management of information security at the company level. This paper seeks to expand knowledge on the implementation of an information security management system based on the wide...

The German Standardization Panel (DNP) is a survey that collects data on the standardization activities of companies on an annual basis. The indicator report summarizes findings on key topics, such as standardization activities, perceptions of the role of standardization and different types of standards, or the relationship between formal standardi...

The aim of this study commissioned by the European Commission, DG CONNECT, is to conduct an in-depth analysis of possible development pathways of the 5G equipment and services supply market. Departing from the baseline analysis of the 5G supply market trends a foresight exercise on key trends influencing the further development of 5G has been devel...

Patents, standards and their combination, standard-essential patents (SEPs), are important in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, in particular in mobile communication. We argue that SEPs are relevant in macroeconomic development and estimate the effect of a country's SEP portfolio on its value-added trade in global ICT value...

Issues of dominance in the market place, “standards wars,” and “battles for dominance” between large companies are frequently addressed by researchers and the business press alike. The existence of companies that could establish internationally dominant solutions to customers' problems within a few years after their founding is quite unknown and th...

Purpose This paper aims to investigate if the world top manufacturing corporations' cost structures are moving from tangible to intangible activities and their impact on profitability. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical approach is interdisciplinary, combining global value chains, international manufacturing networks, cost management lite...

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduces a new right to data portability, which allows users to move their personal data to other platforms, potentially affecting competition between rival platforms offering similar (homogeneous/substitute) products or services within the European Union. However, it is still unclear what effects...

The German Standardization Panel (DNP) is a survey that collects data on the standardization activities of companies on an annual basis. The indicator report summarizes findings on key topics, such as standardization activities, perceptions of the role of standardization and different types of standards, or the relationship between formal standard...

*** English summary below *** Nicht erst seit der Corona-Krise wird deutlich, wie wichtig technologische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Unabhängigkeit für Europa sind. Wachsende geopolitische Unsicherheiten und drohende globale Handelskonflikte stellen über Jahrzehnte gewachsene Handelsbeziehungen zunehmend in Frage. Auch die Debatte um die Einführung d...

Globalization has been a main driver for firms’ entry into standard-setting organizations (SSOs). These global multifirm settings have caught attention due to tensions arising from simultaneous collaboration and competition among firms as well as due to the increasing geographical complexity of the standardization process. SSOs present one form of...

There is a significant potential to improve the benefits from public procurement through a better understanding of drivers in company success at the micro-level, an area that has received little study to date. To increase these impacts on innovation and markets, policy makers have opened procurement to innovation, including the strategic incorporat...

In the wake of digitalization, organizations are increasingly exposed to risks associated with security breaches and must take measures to preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, and to ensure business continuity. The international standard ISO/IEC 27001 assists organizations in setting up, maintaining and continuo...

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) poses multiple challenges to traditional standardization, due to the complexity, dynamics, and accelerating speed of technological progress. The need for a timely availability of standards calls for new approaches and tools to enhance standardization processes for smart manufacturing. Industry and standards...

In the light of digitalization and recent EU policy initiatives, information is an important asset that organizations of all sizes and from all sectors should secure. However, in order to provide common requirements for the implementation of an information security management system, the internationally well-accepted ISO/IEC 27001 standard has not...

Corporate R&D engineers, being usually the initiators of a patent, are important contributors to the patenting performance of their employers. Hence, patenting motives of R&D engineers encompass an interesting and promising research field. However, the literature on patenting motivation of the engineers in the corporate context is scarce. We apply...

The role of company standards as a strategic tool for the optimisation of internal processes and governance of inter-firm relationships has only recently received researchers’ attention. This paper adds to the very limited body of literature by providing empirical evidence of the motives to implement company standards in general and their importanc...

Companies’ actions are increasingly influenced by standards which, for various reasons, are becoming more important. Against this background, the requirements on employees have increased, as standards influence ever further reaching areas of their tasks. On the one hand, products and processes need to be designed according to standards, and on the...

While many data-driven businesses have seen rapid growth in recent years, their business development might be highly contingent upon data protection regulation. While it is often claimed that stricter regulation penalizes firms, there is only scarce empirical evidence for this. We therefore study how data protection regulation affects startup innov...

Standards and open source development are both processes widely adopted in the ICT industry to develop innovative technologies and drive their adoption in the market. Innovators and policy makers assume that a closer collaboration between standards and open source software development would be mutually beneficial. The interaction between the two is...

The paper presents factors influencing the hazard rate of spin-offs, which emerged from Fraunhofer Venture, the venture capitalist of the Fraunhofer Society. To identify these survival factors, we conduct a cox proportional hazard analysis on the full set of all 106 spin-offs that Fraunhofer Venture had in its portfolio at the time our research was...