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The spatial component of R&D networks

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Scholl

    (Philipps University of Marburg)

  • Antonios Garas

    (Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich)

  • Frank Schweitzer

    (Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich)

Abstract

We study the role of geography in R&D networks by means of a quantitative, micro-geographic approach. Using a large database that covers international R&D collaborations from 1984 to 2009, we localize each actor precisely in space through its latitude and longitude. This allows us to analyze the R&D network at all geographic scales simultaneously. Our empirical results show that despite the high importance of the city level, transnational R&D collaborations at large distances are much more frequent than expected from similar networks. This provides evidence for the ambiguity of distance in economic collaboration which is also suggested by the existing literature. In addition we test whether the hypothesis of local buzz and global pipelines applies to the observed R&D network by calculating well-defined metrics from network theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Scholl & Antonios Garas & Frank Schweitzer, 2018. "The spatial component of R&D networks," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 417-436, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:28:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s00191-017-0531-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-017-0531-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Complex network; Geographic distance; R&D; Collaboration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F60 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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