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Measuring how the knowledge space shapes the technological progress of European regions

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  • Silvia Rita Sedita
  • Ivan De Noni
  • Roberta Apa
  • Luigi Orsi

Abstract

This work aims to investigate the features of the regional knowledge space that are more likely to be conducive to technological progress (TP), either in terms of dimension and relevance. We acknowledge the importance of knowledge assets for new knowledge production and we identify more or less path dependent processes that allow a region to be more competitive in terms of innovation potential. In particular, adopting an evolutionary view of regional development, we consider a regional knowledge space as composed of a knowledge base (KB) and a selection environment (SE), which differently affect the technological progress of the region. Empirical evidence come from a quantitative analysis of 269 European regions, whose data are included in the RegPat database. Results show that the variety of KB impacts positively on the technological progress at large. The variety of SE impacts positively only on the technological progress in terms of relevance, while the size of the SE impacts positively only on the quantitative side of the technological progress. Unrelated variety of KB and SE affects technological progress more widely than their correspondent related variety indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Rita Sedita & Ivan De Noni & Roberta Apa & Luigi Orsi, 2016. "Measuring how the knowledge space shapes the technological progress of European regions," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1624, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Aug 2016.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:1624
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