Modelling innovative activity in the New Zealand biotechnology sector

This paper analyses results from an investigation into the determinants of biotechnology innovation in New Zealand using a comprehensive new dataset. The theoretical framework is based on a synthesis of hypotheses drawn from four strands of the innovation literature and the empirical work utilises Poisson regression methods. The data provides strong support for the idea that smaller enterprises (whether measured by number of biotech graduates or by biotech expenditure) tend to have a higher innovation rate and is in line with other studies reported in the literature. However, these initial results require further exploration.