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A geography of corporate knowledge flows across world regions: evidence from patent citations of top R&D-investing firms

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Abstract

This exploratory study looks at the structural and geographical patterns of corporate knowledge flows from a regional perspective. The methodological approach combines the centrality indicators developed in the social network analysis (SNA) and complementary tools from the graphs theory to assess the betweenness centrality of regions (or poles)- their ability to control knowledge flows within a network or to impact its cohesiveness - and the relative contribution of individual firms (or layers) to the centrality of regions. The combination of the two approaches brings relevant insights on the way large R&D-driven firms organise their knowledge sourcing and generation across world regions

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  • Mafini Dosso & Didier Lebert, 2019. "A geography of corporate knowledge flows across world regions: evidence from patent citations of top R&D-investing firms," JRC Working Papers on Corporate R&D and Innovation 2019-03, Joint Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipt:wpaper:201903
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    File URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC118006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    patent citations; knowledge flows; graphs theory; regions; top corporate R&D investors.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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