The role of geographic distance and technological complexity in U.S. interregional co-patenting over almost two centuries

Bibliographic Data

ID7761406
AuthorsMilad Abbasiharofteh (0000-0001-9694-4193, University of Groningen, corresponding author), Tom Broekel (0000-0003-4516-4626, University of Stavanger), Lars Mewes (0000-0001-9838-2673, Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University Hanover, Hanover, Germany)
Year2024
Volume56
Issue7
Pages2003-2022
Publication date2024-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning A Economy and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0308-518X • E-ISSN: 1472-3409
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0308518x241255525
OpenAlexW4399918552
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited64

This paper examines how geographical proximity affected interregional co-patenting links in various technologies in the USA from 1836 to 2010. We classify technologies by their complexity and test whether it moderates the impact of distance on collaboration. Contrary to the ‘death of distance’ hypothesis, distance still matters for knowledge creation and exchange. Moreover, we show that the role of complexity has changed over time. In the 19th century, interregional collaborations within complex technologies were more sensitive to distance than within simple ones. This pattern reversed in the late 20th century, and such collaborative relations became more resilient to distance than simple ones

Economic geography · Geographical distance · Geography · Regional science · Sociology · Demography · Economic and Technological Innovation · Economic Growth and Productivity · Intellectual Property and Patents

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