Innovation Analysis Bulletin

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The Innovation Analysis Bulletin (IAB) provides statistical and analytical updates on government science and technology activities, industrial research and development, intellectual property commercialization, advanced technology and innovation, biotechnology, information society, telecommunications and broadcasting, and electronic commerce.

Articles in this issue

Five types of innovation in Canadian manufacturing: First results from the Survey of Innovation 2005

The most recent Statistics Canada Survey of Innovation (2005) distinguished five types of innovation.  The questions on types of innovation were redesigned in response to the 1997 revision of the Oslo Manual, which incorporated new insights on innovation in the service industries, and broadened the concept of process innovation to include not only production processes but also methods of product delivery. This article examines the five different types of innovation in Canadian manufacturing establishments and industry groups. [Go to article]

Motives for co-operation in innovation: Evidence from the 2005 Canadian Survey of Innovation

This article summarizes the findings of an econometric study using data from the 2005 Canadian Survey of Innovation. The study looked at the decision of firms in the Canadian manufacturing sector to co-operate on innovation projects. The analysis reveals that the factors influencing the decision to co-operate in order to access external knowledge are very similar to those influencing cost-sharing motives. It also finds that public funding leads firms to co-operate in order to access external knowledge and research and development (R&D). [Go to article]

Innovation and global supply chains: Findings from the Survey of Innovation 2005

This article sheds light on selected characteristics of firms, both innovators and non-innovators that participated in a global supply chain.  Using results from the Survey of Innovation 2005, four indicators of global supply chain participation are explored: sales; source of raw materials and components; source of new machinery and equipment; and contracting out of R&D services. [Go to article]

Results of the pilot survey on nanotechnologies

Although nanotechnology can be thought of as a sector of its own, it is clear that nanotechnology is a cross-sector phenomenon with potentially significant impacts.  Nanotechnologies can be found in areas as diverse as biotechnology and health, agriculture, electronics and computer technology, environment and energy, optics, and in materials and manufacturing. [Go to article]

International activities on the development of nanotechnology statistics

Statistics Canada is actively involved with the international community in developing statistical information on nanotechnologies. This article summarizes the ongoing work of the OECD's newly-established Working Party on Nanotechnology, with particular emphasis on the role of Statistics Canada. [Go to article]

Firm characteristics and fund-raising activities of biotech firms in Canada

Innovative biotechnology firms are science-based firms which attempt to bring an application of biotechnology to the market.  However, it is clear that a significant proportion of these firms derive no revenue from product sales while their products proceed through the various phases of testing and regulatory approval. In order to support their operations they must look to other sources of funding. [Go to article]

Start-up funding sources and biotechnology firm growth

Although private investors and government funding agencies have learned that the biotechnology sector requires a funding model different from that of traditional manufacturing, there is a paucity of empirical research investigating the links between characteristics of the funding model and firm performance.  The purpose of this article is to examine which funding sources have the greatest influence on firm growth. [Go to article]

Dropping the Internet: Who and why?

Internet use is an important hallmark for participation in an information society. Although 68% of adult Canadians went online for personal, non-business reasons in 2005, digital inequality persists both geographically and among certain population groups. While much research and policy attention has been aimed at understanding the barriers to Internet use, there were an estimated 850,000 Canadians who had used the Internet at one time but were no longer doing so in 2005. Who are these former users and why have they discontinued their use of the Internet? [Go to article]

How does firm size affect the perceived benefits of Internet business?

Although small firms were less likely than large firms to identify benefits from conducting business online, there has been growth in the proportion of firms indicating perceived benefits over the past five years in all size categories. [Go to article]

Scientific research and development services: Profile of a young and dynamic industry

The scientific research and development services industry is arousing growing interest among analysts and researchers. This interest is due in part to its major contribution to total industrial expenditures on research and development (R&D) in Canada. [Go to article]

Research and development outsourcing and innovation: Evidence from micro-data

Recent improvements in information and communications technologies (ICTs), coupled with the rise of new global players such as China and India, have enabled firms to outsource a growing share of their activities. This has allowed them to benefit from cost savings and to focus on their core competencies. While domestic and foreign outsourcing of certain manufacturing functions have been prevalent for decades, only recently has the trend extended significantly to services such as legal, accounting, data entry, and research and development (R&D). [Go to article]

A profile of Canada's highly qualified personnel

Highly qualified human resources in science and technology are vital for innovation and economic growth. Both are dependent on the stock of human capital which supplies the labour market with highly skilled workers and helps in the diffusion of advanced knowledge. This article profiles Canada's highly qualified personnel based on immigrant status and place of birth, field of study, and selected demographic and employment characteristics. [Go to article]

Retirement of Lloyd Lizotte

In September 2007, colleagues and friends said good bye and good luck to Lloyd Lizotte as he ended his 36-year career with Statistics Canada, of which 34 years were spent in the field of science and technology. [Go to article]

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