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Distance (still) hampers diffusion of innovations

Author

Listed:
  • Georg von Graevenitz
  • Stuart J. H. Graham
  • Amanda F. Myers

Abstract

This paper employs goods and services descriptions from US trademarks to study spatial diffusion of innovations. Identifying novel, fast-spreading tokens (words) in trademark descriptions, we outline patterns of regional innovation and estimate how distance affects diffusion. Novel trademark tokens are frequently new to English, they capture many unpatented innovations, and their appearance in language co-evolves with their use in intellectual property filings. We analyse the introduction of novel tokens to capture the emergence of innovations and show that spatial distance affects their diffusion. Estimating the intensity of diffusion between locations in the United States, we confirm strong, negative effects of distance.

Suggested Citation

  • Georg von Graevenitz & Stuart J. H. Graham & Amanda F. Myers, 2022. "Distance (still) hampers diffusion of innovations," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(2), pages 227-241, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:56:y:2022:i:2:p:227-241
    DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1918334
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Carolina Castaldi & Nicola Cortinovis & Milene S. Tessarin, 2025. "Out of sight? Revealing creativity-led innovation in rural regions," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2517, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Jun 2025.
    2. Michaels, Jonathan A & Maheswaran, Ravi, 2023. "Conflicting perspectives during guidelines development are an important source of implementation failure," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Carolina Castaldi, 2025. "Mapping innovation in space," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2505, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2025.
    4. Block, Jörn & Lambrecht, Darius & Willeke, Tom & Cucculelli, Marco & Meloni, Damiano, 2025. "Green patents and green trademarks as indicators of green innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).
    5. Carolina Castaldi, 2024. "Measuring innovation in international business research: how can trademark data help?," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(4), pages 466-475, December.
    6. Carolina Castaldi & Milad Abbasiharofteh & Sergio Petralia, 2025. "European regions transitioning to green markets. The role of related capabilities and public procurement policies," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2512, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised May 2025.
    7. Carolina Castaldi, 2024. "The geography of urban innovation beyond patents only: New evidence on large and secondary cities in the United States," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(7), pages 1248-1272, May.
    8. Carolina Castaldi, 2023. "Off the mark? What we (should) know about the bright and dark sides of corporate trademark practices," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 32(5), pages 1046-1062.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O51 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - U.S.; Canada
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R32 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Other Spatial Production and Pricing Analysis

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