Geographic clustering and network evolution of innovative activities: Evidence from China’s patents

Martha Prevezer (), Pietro Panzarasa and Tore Opsahl

No 32, Working Papers from Queen Mary, University of London, School of Business and Management, Centre for Globalisation Research

Abstract: This study examines the spatial distribution and social structure of processes of learning and knowledge creation within the context of the inventor network connecting Chinese patent teams. Results uncover mixed tendencies toward both geographic co-location and dispersion arising from combined processes of intra-cluster learning and extra-cluster networking. These processes unfold within a social network that becomes less fragmented over time: as a giant component emerges and increases in size, social distances among inventors become longer. The interplay between geographic and network proximity is assessed against China’s institutional environment. Implications of the findings are discussed for regional development and policy-making.

Keywords: clusters; knowledge transfer; social networks; patenting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L11 M13 O53 R12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-ino, nep-ipr, nep-pr~, nep-net, nep-sbm, nep-soc, nep-tra and nep-ure
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cgs:wpaper:32

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