Distance to the Frontier and Innovation: The Role of Local Business Environment

Abstract

This study uses panel data from biennially surveys of small and medium-sized enterprises during the period of 2005-2015 in the transition economy of Vietnam, and data on the quality of local business environment (measured by the provincial competitiveness index). This study uncovers that the effects of distance to the frontier (measured by the ratio of productivity of an enterprise to that of the industry leader) on innovation are negatively moderated by improved local business environment. Such an important role of the local business environment indicates that laggard enterprises, which form the majority in transition economies, are favourably supported to achieve innovation when quality of the local business environment is improved.