Knowledge networks in joint research projects, innovation and economic growth across European regions

This paper investigates the role played by the position of European regions in research networks on their rate of innovation and economic growth. The analysis is based on a panel of EU-28 NUTS2 regions participating in EU Framework Programmes observed over the 2004–2014 period. We find that regions that are more central in the network (higher strength centrality) and those that are surrounded by highly inter-connected regions (higher clustering index) show higher rates of innovation and higher economic growth. We also find heterogeneous effects of centrality and clustering for peripheral and central regions. We conclude that a more interconnected network (an increase in centrality for peripheral regions and of clustering for urban areas) would create benefits both at the periphery and at the core of Europe.