SFINNO - Database of Finnish Innovations
SFINNO is a longitudinal database of some 4500 individual product innovations of Finnish businesses from across the Finnish economy. These innovations have been commercialised during the years 1945-2005. It is compiled on basis of different methodologies starting mainly with so-called literature based innovation counting. Subsequent, complementary data on the commercialising firms has been collected from secondary sources such as business registers and the patent office. A questionnaire instrument with coverage since 1985 has been used to get more detailed information related to the innovation and innovation process. Variables comprise characteristics of the innovation, the innovation process and the firm.
Today, efforts are made in the Group for Innovation Studies not only to keep SFINNO up-to-date, but also to develop the database further into previously uncovered areas such as that of ‘service innovations’. Also, efforts are made to get similar exercises started abroad, which could open up new possibilities for research on innovation and structural change in industries.
The SFINNO database contains data on the following issues:
• Data on commercialising firms
• Characteristics of the innovations
• Origins of the innovations
• R&D organisation
• Innovation Management
• Sources of information
• Collaboration during the innovation process
• Role of public funding & - services
• Intellectual property rights
• The ‘life after’ commercialisation
• Internationalisation
• Impacts & benefits
• Problems & challenges
The SFINNO database is compiled from various sources. The process consist of two distinct phases, starting with the counting and recording of individual innovations. The second phase includes the collection of additional data - including a questionnaire - which are then linked to the innovations.
Additional information
Ms Nina Rilla
Researcher
+358 20 722 4270
nina.rilla@vtt.fi