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How do gatekeepers in networks influence the production of new knowledge? Evidence from Brazilian co‐invention networks

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  • Raquel Coelho Reis
  • Eduardo Gonçalves
  • Juliana Gonçalves Taveira
  • André Suriane da Silva
  • Pedro Vasconcelos do Amaral

Abstract

In co‐invention networks, gatekeepers mediate technical knowledge exchange between economic agents and help overcome technological barriers and regional lock‐in. This study aims to investigate co‐inventors’ inventive activity and the potential effects of being a gatekeeper in a technologically underdeveloped country such as Brazil. A hierarchical two‐level model is applied for this purpose, considering individual and regional effects. The main results show that patent production at the individual level depends on their positioning as, or their direct collaborations with, gatekeepers in a co‐invention network. Results also show that other individual factors that are relevant to improving inventors’ inventive activity are having diversified knowledge, working in the industrial sector, and earning a higher salary in particular sectors, such as the manufacturing industry and higher education. Regional characteristics, such as GDP per capita and related and unrelated variety, also affect the inventors’ performance. En las redes de coinvención, los controladores de acceso arbitran el intercambio de conocimientos técnicos entre agentes económicos y ayudan a superar las barreras tecnológicas y el bloqueo regional. Este estudio busca investigar la actividad inventiva de los coinventores y los efectos potenciales de ser un controlador de acceso en un país tecnológicamente subdesarrollado como Brasil. Para ello se aplica un modelo jerárquico de dos niveles que considera los efectos individuales y regionales. Los resultados principales muestran que la producción de patentes a nivel individual depende de su posición como controladores de acceso en una red de coinvención, o de sus colaboraciones directas con ellos. Los resultados muestran también que hay otros factores individuales que son relevantes para mejorar la actividad inventiva de los inventores, como tener conocimientos diversificados, trabajar en el sector industrial y ganar un salario más alto en determinados sectores, como la industria manufacturera y la enseñanza superior. Las características regionales, como el PIB per cápita y la variedad relacionada y no relacionada, también afectan al desempeño de los inventores. 共同発明ネットワークにおいては、ゲートキーパーが、経済主体間における技術的知識の交換を仲介し、技術的障壁や地域的な囲い込みを克服するのに役立っている。本稿では、ブラジルのような技術的後進国における共同発明者の発明活動と、ゲートキーパーであることの潜在的な効果を検討する。個人の効果及び地域効果を考慮し、階層的2レベルモデルを適用した。主な結果から、個人レベルでの特許出願は、共同発明ネットワークにおけるゲートキーパーとしての位置付け、またはそのゲートキーパーとの直接的な協力に依存することが示されている。また、発明者の発明活動の改善に関連する、個人のその他の要因としては、多様な知識を有していること、産業部門で働いていること、製造業や高等教育など特定の部門でより高い給与を得ていることが挙げられている。一人当たりのGDPや関連/非関連多様性などの地域的な特性も、発明者の業績に影響を及ぼしていることが示される。

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Coelho Reis & Eduardo Gonçalves & Juliana Gonçalves Taveira & André Suriane da Silva & Pedro Vasconcelos do Amaral, 2023. "How do gatekeepers in networks influence the production of new knowledge? Evidence from Brazilian co‐invention networks," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(9), pages 2046-2064, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:rgscpp:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:2046-2064
    DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12721
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