Is regional innovative activity path-dependent? An empirical analysis for Germany

Arbeitspapier

Based on a standard idea-based model of endogenous growth we test the hypothesis that regional innovative activity is path-dependent, and investigate the geographical scope of knowledge spillovers. Using data for West-German regions, two alternative indicators of the stock of knowledge are specified. One is based on patent applications, the other on numbers of researchers. With patents as indicator the path-dependence hypothesis is rejected, and knowledge spillovers from neighboring regions appear to be irrelevant. With numbers of researchers as indicator, by contrast, there is evidence for both path-dependence, and the relevance of interregional knowledge spillovers. Several extensions and refinements are discussed which may help resolving these apparent contradictions.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Kiel Working Paper ; No. 1058

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes ; Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions ; Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
• Subject: knowledge spillovers ; path-dependence ; endogenous growth ; spatial econometrics ; Germany ; regional innovation ; Innovation ; Region ; Räumliche Innovationsdiffusion ; Spillover-Effekt ; Wissenstransfer ; Regionales Wachstum ; Neue Wachstumstheorie ; Pfadabhängigkeit ; Schätzung ; Patent ; Wissenschaftler ; Deutschland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Bode, Eckhardt
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Kiel Institute of World Economics (IfW)
• (where): Kiel
• (when): 2001

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/2612
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:46 AM CET