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SUMMARY:Understanding Hidden Innovation in UK Services: Indicators\, Empir
 ical Evidence and Policy Implications - Dr. Michael Kitson (University of 
 Cambridge)
DTSTART:20081104T120000Z
DTEND:20081104T140000Z
UID:TALK13434@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Peter Wild
DESCRIPTION:Policy has an important role to play in stimulating and suppor
 ting innovation in the service sectors. Policymakers have been increasingl
 y interested in innovation in services\, but they have often lacked concre
 te evidence on how these sectors innovate. Drawing on a survey of more tha
 n 16\,000 firms\, this paper reveals the high levels of ‘hidden innovati
 on’ in some service sectors\, especially with respect to the ways in whi
 ch service firms develop new business models and exploit technology.  A mi
 nority of UK firms innovate\, and this is very apparent in services and ma
 ny service firms face significant barriers such as a lack of skilled perso
 nnel and a lack of intelligence on markets and technology. Because of thei
 r overall size in the economy\, an increase in the performance of the UK
 ’s service sectors would have a major impact in closing the productivity
  gap between the UK and other leading nations. Taking innovation in servic
 es seriously would mean recognising how innovation in services is a differ
 ent process from innovation in manufacturing\, and in particular\, develop
 ing new policies to stimulate and support increased training and developme
 nt\, and the effective exploitation of technology\, which are key aspects 
 of innovation in service firms.
LOCATION:Wordsworth Room\, St John’s College
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