Knowledge Transfers and Business Performance in Creative Networks: The Case Study of the Slovak Creative Voucher Scheme

The study analyses the effects of the Slovak ‘creative voucher’ scheme on improvements in economic performance and innovation capacity by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study employs survey data on cooperation by supported firms from creative industries (‘providers’) with ‘standard firms’ (‘beneficiaries’). We used the standard difference-in-differences (DiD) evaluation method along with the propensity score matching (PSM) technique to establish the impact of the scheme on business performance by supported firms. The network analysis was applied to establish major patterns in regional and inter-industry cooperation from creative and ‘standard’ firms. The effects of the voucher scheme were quantified for both partners, i.e. knowledge providers and receivers. The results show that supported creative firms reported significantly higher growth in assets and sales than did unsupported applicants. There was no significant difference between supported beneficiaries and unsuccessful applicants. The findings of this study point to the importance of spatial proximity and personal contacts for creating partnerships between creative industries and the rest of the economy.