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Local embeddedness of knowledge spillover agents: Empirical evidence from German star scientists

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  • Daniel Schiller
  • Javier Revilla Diez

Abstract

The spatial scope of knowledge flows is a topic of fierce debate. While several studies have focused on single modes, the aim of this paper is to look at different knowledge flows originating from individual scientists, namely, scientific and industrial collaboration, entrepreneurial activities and human capital formation. The analysis is based on qualitative data acquired from interviews with distinguished German scientists from the disciplines of science and technology. It was found that the excellence of star scientists manifests itself in several ways. However, the results do not confirm the expectation that knowledge flows are predominantly locally embedded. The impact on the local economy was especially low for industrial collaborations. Resumen El alcance espacial de flujos de conocimiento es un apasionado tema de debate. Mientras que varios estudios se han centrado en modalidades únicas, el objetivo de este artículo es revisar flujos de conocimiento diferentes con origen en científicos individuales, concretamente colaboración científica e industrial, actividades emprendedoras y formación de capital humano. El análisis está basado en datos cualitativos obtenidos de entrevistas a científicos alemanes prestigiosos de las disciplinas de la ciencia y la tecnología. Se encontró que la excelencia de estos científicos punteros se manifiesta de manera diferente. Sin embargo, los resultados no confirman la expectativa de que los flujos de conocimiento están mayoritariamente integrados localmente. El impacto en la economía local fue especialmente bajo para colaboraciones industriales.

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  • Daniel Schiller & Javier Revilla Diez, 2010. "Local embeddedness of knowledge spillover agents: Empirical evidence from German star scientists," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(2), pages 275-294, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:presci:v:89:y:2010:i:2:p:275-294
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1435-5957.2010.00294.x
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