International Knowledge Flows and the Role of Proximity

Abstract

International knowledge flows have become increasingly common and more frequent and are a key driving force promoting the development of global science. However, little attention has been paid to the determinants of international scientific collaboration. Using co‐publication data from the Web of Science database in the period 2000–2014, this paper illustrates spatial patterns of international knowledge flows and estimates the impact of geographical, technological, social, and cultural proximity on the variation of inter‐country collaboration in science. Our findings demonstrate that the coefficients of the four dimensions of proximity are positive and significant in panel estimates and cross‐section estimates—international knowledge flows are facilitated by geographical, technological, social, and cultural proximity. We also find that the effect of geographical and cultural proximity have waned over time, while the impact of social and technological proximity have strengthened.

Does network position foster knowledge production? Evidence from international scientific collaboration network

“…It is noted that knowledge spillovers not only occur in the local scale, but also take place at a global scale (Bathelt et al, ); not only occur through informal knowledge exchange, but also take place through formal networks of research collaboration (Ponds et al, ); not only represent spatial spillovers, but also perform relational spillovers (Maggioni et al, ). In the context of the globalization, informatization, and networking, the determinants of knowledge spillovers has undergone fundamental changes, most notably the ups of relational and capability proximity and the downs of geographical and cultural proximity (Gui et al, ; Montobbio, Primi, & Sterzi, ; Ter Wal, ). Formal collaboration networks will be more important than informal knowledge exchange, because the former can occur over longer geographical distances (Ponds et al, ) and fresh and novel information from remote partners declines the risk of technological lock‐in (Crespo et al, ; He & Fallah, ).…”

“…However, knowledge does not stop flowing at spatial distances and territorial borders (Audretsch & Feldman, ; Pan, Kaski, & Fortunato, ). There is consensus among scholars that knowledge spillovers occur not only on the local or regional level but also on the national or even international scale (Bathelt, Malmberg, & Maskell, ; Gui, Liu, & Du, ; Hoekman, Frenken, & Oort, ; McKelvey, Alm, & Riccaboni, ; Scherngell & Hu, ).…”

The Scientific Cooperation Network of Chinese Scientists and Its Proximity Mechanism

“…It is worth emphasizing that there is a large gap in the resources of higher education between Chinese cities, which is an important factor affecting the scientific cooperation of Chinese scientists. Other studies have also found that the factors of scientific cooperation also include the number of scientific researchers, economic scale, innovation capacity, common language, and network status [46][47][48][49].…”

Does venture capital spur innovation or the other way around? Evidence on the significance of investment timing from China

“…It generates changes in firm ownership structure and board membership composition (Large & Muegge, 2008). This type of venture capital also knows much more about industry chains and peripheral industries through knowledge flows (Gui, Liu, & Du, 2018). Sahlman (1990) suggested that venture capital could help ventures to establish a formal structure; it also monitored firm daily activities.…”

“…Venture capital, especially that focusing on one or only a few specialization fields, including those founded by big companies of specific fields, often have stronger business acumen than entrepreneurs. This type of venture capital also knows much more about industry chains and peripheral industries through knowledge flows (Gui, Liu, & Du, 2018). Therefore, venture capital can help entrepreneurs to be sensitive to potential opportunities, threats, and technology frontiers (Hsu, 2006).…”