Innovation Without R&d: How Is This Possible? Knowledge Spillovers and Dui Mode of Innovation on the Example of German Enterprises

Economically and technically advanced nations differ from developing countries by having numerous competitive, innovative and active enterprises. High-tech innovations are particularly important for the global economy, for this reason, many economists and politicians tend to underestimate the importance of innovations introduced by small and medium-sized firms from low- and medium-tech sectors of the economy. In their innovation activities, SMEs acquire ready–made technological solutions on the market, or introduce innovations in a special way – in the DUI mode. The theoretical concept of DUI (learning by doing, using and interacting) explains why many small and medium-sized enterprises succeed in innovation without research and development (R&D) efforts. This article examines the theoretical issues of introducing innovations without R&D, and also provides data from empirical studies of innovation activity obtained during the surveys Mannheim Innovation Panel of the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research and German Manufacturing Survey of the Frauenhofer ISI Research Institute for the period 2002–2020.