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Technological dynamics and social capability: US states and European nations

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  • Jan Fagerberg
  • Maryann P. Feldman
  • Martin Srholec

Abstract

This article analyzes factors shaping technological capabilities in USA and European countries, and shows that the differences between the two continents in this respect are much smaller than commonly assumed. The analysis demonstrates a tendency toward convergence in technological capabilities for the sample as a whole between 1998 and 2008. The results indicate that social capabilities, such as well-developed public knowledge infrastructure, an egalitarian distribution of income, a participatory democracy and prevalence of public safety condition the growth of technological capabilities. Possible effects of other factors, such as agglomeration, urbanization, industrial specialization, migration and knowledge spillovers are also considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Fagerberg & Maryann P. Feldman & Martin Srholec, 2014. "Technological dynamics and social capability: US states and European nations," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 14(2), pages 313-337.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jecgeo:v:14:y:2014:i:2:p:313-337.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jeg/lbt026
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Hassink & Arne Isaksen & Michaela Trippl, 2019. "Towards a comprehensive understanding of new regional industrial path development," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(11), pages 1636-1645, November.
    2. Jan Fagerberg & Staffan Laestadius & Ben R. Martin, 2016. "The Triple Challenge for Europe: The Economy, Climate Change, and Governance," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(3), pages 178-204, May.
    3. Riccardo Crescenzi & Alexander Jaax, 2017. "Innovation in Russia: The Territorial Dimension," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 93(1), pages 66-88, January.
    4. Andrés Rodríguez‐Pose & Callum Wilkie, 2019. "Innovating in less developed regions: What drives patenting in the lagging regions of Europe and North America," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 4-37, March.
    5. Alnafrah, Ibrahim, 2025. "Evaluating efficiency of green innovations and renewables for sustainability goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    6. Andersson, Martin, 2018. "Resilience to Economic Shrinking: A Social Capability Approach to Processes of Catching up in the Developing World 1951-2016," Lund Papers in Economic History 183, Lund University, Department of Economic History.
    7. Giorgio Prodi & Francesco Nicolli & Federico Frattini, 2017. "State restructuring and subnational innovation spaces across Chinese prefectures," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(1), pages 94-112, February.
    8. Michael Peneder, 2017. "Competitiveness and industrial policy: from rationalities of failure towards the ability to evolve," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 41(3), pages 829-858.
    9. Pietro Moncada-Paternò-Castello & Sara Amoroso & Michele Cincera, 0. "Corporate R&D intensity decomposition: different data, different results?," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 47(4), pages 458-473.
    10. Ron Boschma, 2017. "Relatedness as driver behind regional diversification: a research agenda," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1702, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Jan 2017.
    11. Jan Fagerberg & Martin Srholec, 2023. "Capabilities, diversification & economic dynamics in European Regions," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 623-644, April.
    12. Fredrik Niclas Piro & Marco Seeber & Lili Wang, 2024. "Regional and sectoral variations in the ability to attract funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program and Horizon 2020," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(3), pages 1493-1521, March.
    13. Jingxiao Zhang & Haiyan Xie & Klaus Schmidt & Hui Li, 2015. "A New Systematic Approach to Vulnerability Assessment of Innovation Capability of Construction Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-25, December.
    14. Helen Lawton Smith & Sharmistha Bagchi-Sen & Laurel Edmunds, 2016. "Innovation capacity in the healthcare sector and historical anchors: examples from the UK, Switzerland and the US," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(6), pages 1420-1439, December.
    15. Ron Boschma, 2018. "The geographical dimension of structural change," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1839, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2018.
    16. Hu, Mei-Chih & Kang, Jin-Su & Wu, Ching-Yan, 2017. "Determinants of profiting from innovation activities: Comparisons between technological leaders and latecomers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 223-236.
    17. Jan Fagerberg, 2013. "Innovation - a New Guide," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20131119, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    18. Maryann Feldman & Theodora Hadjimichael & Lauren Lanahan & Tom Kemeny, 2016. "The logic of economic development: a definition and model for investment," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(1), pages 5-21, February.
    19. Švarc, Jadranka & Lažnjak, Jasminka & Dabić, Marina, 2019. "Regional innovation culture in innovation laggard: A case of Croatia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    20. Irina Iulia SALANȚĂ & Ioana Natalia BELEIU & Alin MIHĂILĂ & Emil Lucian CRIȘAN, 2018. "Technology Transfer Related Concepts," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(4), pages 422-435, October.
    21. Jan Fagerberg & Martin Srholec, 2017. "Explaining regional economic performance: the role of competitiveness, specialization and capabilities," Chapters, in: Robert Huggins & Piers Thompson (ed.), Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness, chapter 5, pages 117-135, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    22. Dimitris KALLIORAS & Nickolaos TZEREMES & Panayiotis TZEREMES & Maria ADAMAKOU, 2021. "Technological Change, Technological Catch-Up And Market Potential: Evidence From The Eu Regions," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 135-151, June.
    23. Komikado, Hiroshi & Morikawa, So & Bhatt, Ayushman & Kato, Hironori, 2021. "High-speed rail, inter-regional accessibility, and regional innovation: Evidence from Japan," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    24. Howoldt, David, 2024. "Characterising innovation policy mixes in innovation systems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).
    25. Gao, Ce & He, Xubo, 2023. "Social capability and long-term sustained growth," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1111-1122.

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