The role of geographic and cognitive proximity in knowledge networks: The case of joint R&D projects
2022
Abstract
This paper explores effect of proximities on R&D collaboration and focus on a prime mechanism of intentional search for knowledge-joint R&D projects-using data on R&D projects co-financed by various public sector bodies in the period 2003-2018. Our findings show that R&D collaboration based on cognitive proximity is intentional and firms prefer partners with technological distance smaller than expected based on a reference population.
In the case of repeated R&D collaboration among the same companies in manufacturing, there is a statistically significant shift towards a higher cognitive proximity. As for geographical proximity, we found relatively low intra-regional R-D collaboration and high openness of regional innovation systems.