"This research programs aims to increase our understanding of how flows of technological knowledge between economic actors are related with (comparative) economic performance and how they can be influenced for public policy purposes. The starting point for the formulation of this research theme is the notion that the economic impact of technological change is primarily an outcome of diffusion and not just of innovation. Diffusion here, must be understood in a broad sense, because the spread of innovative products and incremental innovations are closely related phenomena, as the application and diffusion of innovations leads to further learning and incremental innovations."