Dimensions of Spatial Knowledge Diffusion: Technology, Network and Regional Context

Abstract

Scholars of economic geography argue that the frequent generation of ideas or innovations is a cornerstone of economically wealthy regions. New ideas can occur in situations when people exchange thoughts, as they share and combine knowledge. This newly combined knowledge might be then used to create novel technologies or businesses. For example, the invention of the car created a global industry employing millions of people, leading to prosperity for those regions accommodating research or manufacturing locations of the automobile industry. But what are the reasons why some regions are capable of adopting new knowledge and other not? What are the patterns of knowledge diffusion and how are they spatially affected? In order to find answers to these questions, this doctoral thesis examines three dimensions of spatial knowledge diffusion: namely technology, networks and regional context. In four chapters, empirical settings related to these dimensions have been quantitatively analyzed. Thereby, new insights about the impact of technological complexity, inter-firm and inter-regional networks and the role of demand on the (historical) diffusion of technologies and industries have been obtained. Finally, these empirical contributions have been used to derive implications for political decision-makers to help steering socially desirable adoption processes.