Variety in external knowledge sourcing and innovation novelty: Evidence from the KIBS sector in Spain

This study explores variety in knowledge sourcing and its impact on the degree of novelty in KIBS innovation. The data analysed are part of the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) 2013, Spain's contribution to the European-wide Community Innovation Survey (CIS). Some evidence is found of a positive relationship between variety of market sources used and innovations new to the firm, and of a negative relationship between variety of research sources used and new-to-market innovations. R&D is negatively associated with innovation, whereas other internal information sources are positively associated, suggesting that the definition of R&D in KIBS should be broadened. Results differ between t-KIBS and p-KIBS - in particular cooperation is only associated with t-KIBS innovation.