The analysis of complex networks has recently received considerable attention. The work by Albert and Barabási presented a research challenge to network analysis, that is, growth of the network. The present paper offers a network analysis of the spatial commuting network in Germany. First, we study the spatial evolution of the commuting network over time. Secondly, we compare two spatial interaction model (SIM) specifications, in order to replicate the actual network structure. Our findings suggest that the commuting network appeared to become more dense and clustered, while the SIMs seem to require more sophisticated specifications, in order to replicate such a connectivity structure.

The focus of the article is to shed some more light on the spatial distribution of new technology-based firms (NTBF) and to discuss location factors which may contribute to the explanation of the variation in the incidence of NTBF between the West-German districts ("Kreise"). Based on theoretical models explaining the location decisions of new firms, hypotheses are derived and tested in an empirical model. The regression results indicate strong correlations between the occurrence of NTBF and the proximity to Research and Development (R&D) facilities comprising universities, technical colleges and non-university institutes as well as private R&D. As expected, the impact of the various facilities varies with respect to their field of specialization, showing major positive correlations with respect to technical disciplines. Moreover, the estimates reveal out differences due to spatial characteristics such as infrastructure and other structural factors.JEL classification: R13, R30, O18

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Abstract:e analysis of the structure and evolution of complex networks has recently received considerable attention. Although research on networks originated in mathematical studies dating back to the nineteenth century (or earlier), and developed further in the mid-twentieth century with contributions to graph theory, interest in its application to the social sciences is currently growing-particularly in regional science and transportation, because of the spatial relevance of networks. is paper presents a dynamic outlook for the German commuting network from the perspective of the German labor market districts. e focus of this paper is to explore how the German commuting network evolves, from two perspectives: space and connectivity. We consider home-to-work commuters moving between 439 German districts for the years 1995 and 2005. e results of the present analysis make it possible to identify, among the main German districts, the most "open" and connected ones. ese emerging districts can be considered as potential "hubs" in the German commuting system-that is, as attractors from the perspective of spatial economics, and as interconnectors from the perspective of networking.

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