Modelling Regional Patterns of Innovation Diffusion in the UK Metalworking Industries

Abstract

ALDERMAN N. and DAVIES S. (1990) Modelling regional patterns of innovation diffusion in the UK metalworking industries, Reg. Studies 24, 513-528. In this paper Davies' economic model of innovation diffusion is tested at the regional level using survey data on the adoption of a number of key manufacturing technologies based on microelectronics or new matcrials within nine industries engaged primarily in metalworking activities. The results demonstrate that there are regional variations in the rates of diffusion along one or other of the two types of trajectory derived from the model and that these have been slower in some peripheral regions than elsewhere. These variations may be partly, but by no means entirely, accounted for by regional differences in industrial structure and establishment size distributions. It is suggested, however, that as diffusion approaches saturation level regional convergence will be observed. Metalworking industriesTechnology Diffusion Curve fitting Regional variation ALDERMAN N. et DAVIES S . (1990) La modilisation de la distribution rtgionale de la diffusion de I'innovation dans la mttallurgie au Royaume-Uni, Reg. Studies 24, 513-528. Cet article a pour but une ivaluation sur le plan regional du modtle iconomique de la diffusion de l'innovation d'aprcs Davies B partir des donntes provenant d'une enqutte sur l'utilisation d'un nombre de technologies industrielles cli likes i la micro-electronique ou i de nouveaux mattriaux au sein des industries dont I'activiti principale c'est le travail des mttaux. Les resultats laissent voir des variations rigionales des taux de diffusion en fonction de I'un ou I'autre des deux genres de trajectoires que fournit le modtle, et ceux-li ont i t i moins rapides dans quelques zones ptriphtriques qu'ailleurs. I1 se peut que de telles variations s'expliquent en partie par les diffirences de la structure industrielle et de la taille des etablissements. Nianmoins on suggtre qu'au fur et i mesure que la diffusion arrive B saturation on pourra remarquer une certaine convergence rigionale. Mitallurgie Technologie Diffusion Ajustement statistique Variation rtgionale

Slow Convergence? The New Endogenous Growth Theory and Regional Development

“…Likewise, Jaffe, Trajtenberg, and Henderson (1993) find that citations to domestic patents within the United States are more likely to come from the states and metropolitan areas where the cited patents are located. Others have identified a regional pattern to the diffusion of product innovations and a tendency for regional externalities to shape the adoption of innovations, whereby firms use other firms in a region to learn about and to utilize new technology (see Antoneb 1990; Thwaites 1982; Alderman and Davies 1990).…”

Innovation and Technological Change: An Austrian-British Comparison

“…These observations accord with the suggestion that regional variations are likely to be most pronounced when technologies are in their infancy, but that as diffusion proceeds and approaches saturation level regional convergence is likely to be observed (Alderman and Davies, 1990). …”

Dynamics of Distribution and Diffusion of New Technology

“…Another stream of studies emphasises the development and accumulation over time in firms' technological and organisational competencies Rosenberg 1982). There is also a growing body of literature on the role of the geographical factors on the phenomenon of diffusion (e.g., Hagerstrand 1967;Alderman and Davies 1990;Baptista 2000 etc. Relationship with customers, equipment vendors and labour market knowledge, network with other firms are all part of the environment influencing the decision of the firms to acquire the new technology.…”