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Technology, resources and geography in a paradigm shift: the case of critical and conflict materials in ICTs

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Diemer
  • Simona Iammarino
  • Richard Perkins
  • Axel Gros

Abstract

Critical and conflict materials (CCMs) are providing an important material infrastructure for recent technological shifts. Relying on text analysis of US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) data, this exploratory study examines the technological and geographical linkages between technological paradigms and selected CCMs. Our descriptive analysis finds evidence of a clear association between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and CCM intensity over time, and of a striking resource–technology divide between value-creating and -extracting activities across the Global North and the Global South and their regions. The paper emphasizes the need for a more critical, spatially sensitive approach to studying resource-based technological change to expose its uneven development consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Diemer & Simona Iammarino & Richard Perkins & Axel Gros, 2025. "Technology, resources and geography in a paradigm shift: the case of critical and conflict materials in ICTs," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(1), pages 2077326-207, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:59:y:2025:i:1:p:2077326
    DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2022.2077326
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Andrea Bastianin & Xiao Li & Luqman Shamsudin, 2025. "Forecasting the Volatility of Energy Transition Metals," Papers 2501.16069, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2025.
    3. Francesco de Cunzo & Aurelio Patelli & Angelica Sbardella & Andrea Tacchella, 2025. "The Functional Role of Critical Raw Materials in Technological Innovation," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2516, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Jun 2025.
    4. Bastianin, Andrea & Del Bo, Chiara F. & Shamsudin, Luqman, "undated". "The geography of mining and its environmental impact in Europe," FEEM Working Papers 352147, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    5. Fusillo Fabrizio & Manera Maria & Orsatti Gianluca & Quatraro Francesco & Rentocchini Francesco, 2025. "The exposure of EU inventive efforts to critical raw materials: evidence from an AI based patent indicator," JRC Research Reports JRC141261, Joint Research Centre.
    6. Gong, Huiwen & Andersen, Allan Dahl, 2024. "The role of material resources for rapid technology diffusion in net-zero transitions: Insights from EV lithium-ion battery Technological Innovation System in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    7. Valverde-Carbonell, Jorge & Pietrobelli, Carlo & Menéndez, María de las Mercedes, 2024. "Minerals’ criticality and countries' mining competitiveness: Two faces of the same coin," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. Frank Neffke & Angelica Sbardella & Ulrich Schetter & Andrea Tacchella, 2024. "Economic Complexity Analysis," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2430, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Oct 2024.
    9. Andrea Bastianin & Paolo Castelnovo & Federico Fabio Frattini & Francesco Vona, 2026. "Induced Innovation in Critical Mineral Saving Technologies," Working Papers 2026.05, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    10. Bastianin, Andrea & Castelnovo, Paolo & Frattini, Federico Fabio & Vona, Francesco, 2026. "Induced Innovation in Critical Mineral Saving Technologies," FEEM Working Papers 391378, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    11. 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.
    12. Francesco de Cunzo & Davide Consoli & Francois Perruchas & Angelica Sbardella, 2023. "Mapping Critical Raw Materials in Green Technologies," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2322, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Dec 2023.
    13. Compagnoni, Marco & Santini, Erica, 2025. "The evolution of the EU electronics market and its impact on direct material consumption: Lessons from the past," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    14. Li, George Yunxiong & Ascani, Andrea & Iammarino, Simona, 2024. "The material basis of modern technologies. A case study on rare metals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
    15. Andrea Bastianin & Chiara F. Del Bo & Luqman Shamsudin, 2025. "The geography of mining and its environmental impact in Europe," Working Papers 2025.08, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • Q34 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Natural Resources and Domestic and International Conflicts
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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