Spatial knowledge diffusion through collaborative networks

Abstract

The theory of endogenous growth and the geography and growth synthesis both consider that local growth and spatial concentration of economic activities emanate from localised knowledge spillovers (Lucas 1988; Martin and Ottaviano 1999). Since the end of the 1980's, the spatial dimension of knowledge diffusion has been investigated from an empirical point of view, and the existence and role of local spillovers has been generally confirmed (see among others Jaffe 1989; Audretsch and Feldman 1996). The concern that now arises is to unravel the mechanisms underlying and explaining the geographical knowledge spillovers. The aim of this special issue is to present the latest new findings on such questions and to identify some new lines of research for future work. Before presenting the content of this special issue, we very briefly review the main results of the empirical literature on the geography of innovation. We also explain the context of this special issue by pointing out some of the limitations faced by this literature and, by stressing the complex dynamic and network dimensions of the observed processes of production and diffusion of knowledge.

Towards Urban Resilience through Inter-City Networks of Co-Invention: A Case Study of U.S. Cities

“…Ideas and information exchanges are no longer fixed in space but increasingly span great distances. Maggioni et al [7], Ponds et al [17], Breschi and Lissoni [13,51], Gallaud and Torre [65], and Autant-Bernard et al [66] all concluded that interactive learning and sharing spread widely via relational networks. Knowledge is not simply bounded in a cluster; there are considerable interactions with distant partners.…”

Introduction: the role of proximity relations in regional and territorial development processes

“…Partly inspired from Schumpeter's analyses, it is based on the idea that innovations constitute the key to development processes and that the efforts made in terms of R&D or of incentives to innovate can play an important role in the implementation and success of growth dynamics. This often implies a systemic approach, which highlights the role played by the transfer and diffusion of innovation at local level (Feldman, 1994;Autant-Bernard et al, 2007), as well as the importance of face-to-face relations and of stages of spin-off creation and development or phases of support to creation (firm or project incubators, etc.) (Rallet and Torre 2000).…”

Knowledge spillovers, entrepreneurship and economic development

“…It is argued that knowledge tends to spill over more easily when the source of the knowledge is near the agent or place where it "spills" to, ceteris paribus. There is considerable interest in the literature on the nature of the proximal effect as well as the other factors impacting the flow of knowledge (see for example, Agrawal et al 2003;Fischer et al 2001;Karlsson and Manduchi 2001;Jaffe et al 1993;Koo 2007;Autant-Bernard et al 2007).The impetus of this mini-special edition on knowledge spillover stems from the continuing quest to better understand the role of proximity and other factors that impact the rate at which knowledge flows through the filter. The associated papers are all empirical in nature and thus help to extend the factual based understanding of knowledge spillovers.…”

“…It is argued that knowledge tends to spill over more easily when the source of the knowledge is near the agent or place where it "spills" to, ceteris paribus. There is considerable interest in the literature on the nature of the proximal effect as well as the other factors impacting the flow of knowledge (see for example, Agrawal et al 2003;Fischer et al 2001;Karlsson and Manduchi 2001;Jaffe et al 1993;Koo 2007;Autant-Bernard et al 2007).…”