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A Social Network Analysis of the Spanish Network of Smart Cities

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  • Ivan Serrano

    (Estudis de Dret i Ciència Política, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain
    Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Laura Calvet-Mir

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ramon Ribera-Fumaz

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Isabel Díaz

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Hug March

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Castelldefels, E-08860 Barcelona, Spain
    Estudis d’Economia i Empresa, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, E-08035 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

This paper explores the relations of centrality and hierarchy between cities and firms implementing Smart City strategies in the context of the Spanish Network of Smart Cities (RECI). While the literature has usually focused on the global dimension of cities and firms networks, exploring a national case offers interesting insights about the presence of multinational firms in these contexts and the role played by medium-sized cities in their market expansion. The analysis is based on a two-mode network of cities and firms participating in Smart City projects with the usual measures of betweenness, in-degree and closeness, as well as computing the Gini index for each of them to assess the levels of inequality. We then explore whether the structural advantages of participating in these networks have a leveling effect or rather reinforce existing hierarchies of cities. Second, we explore how firms are intertwined in Smart City projects and whether medium-sized local firms have a relevant presence. Our findings suggest these networks become a regional gateway for multinational firms to expand their presence in Smart City national markets, rather than empowering medium-sized cities and small national firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan Serrano & Laura Calvet-Mir & Ramon Ribera-Fumaz & Isabel Díaz & Hug March, 2020. "A Social Network Analysis of the Spanish Network of Smart Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:5219-:d:376767
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer Robinson, 2002. "Global and world cities: a view from off the map," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 531-554, September.
    2. Robert G. Hollands, 2008. "Will the real smart city please stand up?," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(3), pages 303-320, December.
    3. Luca Mora & Roberto Bolici & Mark Deakin, 2017. "The First Two Decades of Smart-City Research: A Bibliometric Analysis," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 3-27, January.
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    6. Dong Lu & Ye Tian & Vincent Y. Liu & Yi Zhang, 2015. "The Performance of the Smart Cities in China—A Comparative Study by Means of Self-Organizing Maps and Social Networks Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
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    8. Ola Söderström & Till Paasche & Francisco Klauser, 2014. "Smart cities as corporate storytelling," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 307-320, June.
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    10. World Bank Group, 2016. "World Development Report 2016 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2016]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 23347.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodríguez Bolívar, Manuel Pedro & Alcaide Muñoz, Laura & Alcaide Muñoz, Cristina, 2023. "Identifying patterns in smart initiatives' planning in smart cities. An empirical analysis in Spanish smart cities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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    Keywords

    smart cities; Spain; networks; firms;
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