This paper examines the nature of linkages between core competence of a firm and key characteristics of its product/output and thus presents an alternative theoretical framework for innovation and regional development. Within this framework, it is the externally observable characteristics of what a firm produces, rather than its internal functions, that establishes whether a distinct core competence potentially exists, in order to operationalize it for R&D and innovation activities. To demonstrate potential applications of this framework, a literature-based- questionnaire was designed to collect primary data from 330 firms located in North East England, a peripheral region of the UK. Collected data were subjected to a detailed statistical analysis to estimate the conditional probability that a firm has a core competence, given the presence of one or more of its key output/product characteristics. Based on this approach, the paper presents a theoretical/empirical framework for the promotion of innovation via enhancement of a firm’s core competence, and improvement in its output/product characteristics. This framework might be employed as a strategic management tool (1) by a firm to help in allocation of scarce resources for innovation and innovation management and (2) by regional policymakers for targeting and assisting firms in peripheral regions to enhance regional development via firms’ innovation and exporting activities.

本文研究了企业核心能力与其产品/产出关键特征之间联系的性质，从而提出了创新和区域发展的替代理论框架。在此框架内，是公司生产的产品的外部可观察到的特征，而不是其内部职能，可以确定是否可能存在独特的核心能力，以便将其用于研发和创新活动。为了展示该框架的潜在应用，设计了一种基于文献的问卷，以收集来自英国东北英格兰（英格兰外围地区）的330家公司的主要数据。对收集到的数据进行详细的统计分析，以估算公司具有核心竞争力的条件概率，考虑到其一项或多项主要产出/产品特征的存在。在这种方法的基础上，本文提出了通过增强企业的核心竞争力并改善其产出/产品特性来促进创新的理论/经验框架。该框架可以用作战略管理工具（1）由公司帮助分配稀缺资源用于创新和创新管理；（2）由区域决策者针对和协助周边地区的公司通过公司的发展来促进区域发展。创新和出口活动。并改善其产量/产品特性。该框架可以用作战略管理工具（1）被公司用来帮助分配稀缺资源用于创新和创新管理；（2）被区域政策制定者用来瞄准和协助周边地区的公司通过公司的发展来促进区域发展。创新和出口活动。并改善其产量/产品特性。该框架可以用作战略管理工具（1）被公司用来帮助分配稀缺资源用于创新和创新管理；（2）被区域政策制定者用来瞄准和协助周边地区的公司通过公司的发展来促进区域发展。创新和出口活动。