THE ROLE OF EXTERNAL TECHNICAL-SUPPORT IN THE INNOVATION PERFORMANCE OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS FIRMS - EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE FROM NEW-YORK-STATE

This paper examines the role of external technical support in the inno vation performance of New York State (NYS) manufacturing firms. Survey data from a sample of 81 companies in the scientific instruments sect or are presented. The results suggest that innovation performance (suc cessful product development) varies considerably across the state's ma jor regions. Part of this variability can be traced to the uneven geog raphic distribution of external technological resources. The implicati ons of these patterns for the commercial prospects of NYS manufacturin g firms are explored. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of t he broader implications of the research findings for other industrial nations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.