Abstract
Canada, through a well-focused space program (telecommunications, earth observation, robotics), has succeeded in developing a space industry largely based on SMEs. The result has been significant economic benefits and technological spin-offs. In this article, the results of two programs, the ESA (European Space Agency) and the STEAR (Strategic Technologies in Automation and Robotics), are compared.
The ESA program has generated significant indirect effects and spin-offs for Canadian exports. ESA's reputation and network have enabled SMEs to increase export sales of both space products and other commercial products derived from space technologies. The STEAR program has been highly successful in promoting a new generation of SMEs for space robotics, encouraging both spin-in and spin-offs of technologies. The analysis highlights the complementarity of mission- and diffusion-oriented programs in the technology transfer process.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bach, L., P. Cohendet, G. Lambert, and M.J. Ledoux, 1998, ‘Evaluatingthe Industrial Indirect Effects of Technology Programmes: The Case of European Space Agency Programmes’, Policy Evaluation in Innovation and Technology: Towards Best Practices, Paris: OECD.
Bach, L., P. Cohendet, G. Lambert, and M.J. Ledoux, 1992, ‘Measuringand managingspin-offs: Case of the spinoffs generated by ESA programs’, in H.R. Hertzfeld, and J. Greenberg. (eds.), Economics of space activities, Washington: AIAA.
Bartlett, C.A. and S. Ghoshal, 1986, ‘Tap your subsidiaries for global reach’, Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec, pp. 87–94.
BETA/CETAI 1989, Indirect Economic Effects of ESA Contracts on the Canadian Economy, Final Report, France.
CETAI/BETA, 1994, Les effets économiques indirects des contrats de l'ASE sur l'économie canadienne (deuxième étude, 1988–1997), rapport final, Canada.
Ergas, H., ‘The importance of Technology Policy’ 1987, in Economic Policy and Technological Performance, P. Stoneman and P. Dasgupta (eds.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Giget, M., R. Villain, and S. Bellin, 1990, 1990–2000 l'industrie spatiale en perspective: Futuribles, no 143, May, pp. 31–47.
Groupe Secor, 1992, L'industrie spatiale, étude sectorielle préparée à l'intention du Comité du bilan de l'activité scientifique et technologique de la Région de Montréal.
HicklingCorp, 1994, The Canadian Space Program, A Review of the Strategies and Economics of Long Term Space Plan II, prepared for Canadian Space Agency.
Industry Canada, 1998, International Business Strategy for the Space Industry (1996–1997).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Amesse, F., Cohendet, P., Poirier, A. et al. Economic Effects and Spin-offs in a Small Space Economy: The Case of Canada. The Journal of Technology Transfer 27, 339–348 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020211606973
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020211606973