KISA in low tech traditional sectors as technology innovation promoters

Abstract

Tether (2003) has analysed innovation dynamics in services and classified them in three sectors: traditional, systemic and knowledge-based. In this paper we are concerned with the third alternative due to its relevance in the creation and transfer of knowledge and innovation through its support of innovative activities across a wide range of other business fields, as well as its interconnecting role among various clusters (Kuusisto and Meyer, 2003). Knowledge-intensive service activities (KISA) are defined as “the production and integration of service activities undertaken by firms, in manufacturing or service sectors, in combination with manufactured outputs or as stand-alone services”. KISA can be provided by private enterprises and public sector organizations. Typical examples of KISA include R&D services, management consulting, IT services, human resource management services, legal services, accounting and financing services, and marketing services (OECD, 2006).