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The role of geographic distance and technological complexity in U.S. interregional co-patenting over almost two centuries

Author

Listed:
  • Milad Abbasiharofteh

    (Department of Economic Geography, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
    Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Tom Broekel

    (Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway)

  • Lars Mewes

    (Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University Hanover, Hanover, Germany)

Abstract

This paper examines how geographical proximity affected interregional co-patenting links in various technologies in the USA from 1836 to 2010. We classify technologies by their complexity and test whether it moderates the impact of distance on collaboration. Contrary to the ‘death of distance’ hypothesis, distance still matters for knowledge creation and exchange. Moreover, we show that the role of complexity has changed over time. In the 19th century, interregional collaborations within complex technologies were more sensitive to distance than within simple ones. This pattern reversed in the late 20th century, and such collaborative relations became more resilient to distance than simple ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Milad Abbasiharofteh & Tom Broekel & Lars Mewes, 2024. "The role of geographic distance and technological complexity in U.S. interregional co-patenting over almost two centuries," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(7), pages 2003-2022, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:56:y:2024:i:7:p:2003-2022
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X241255525
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    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation

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