Corporate control, location and complexity of ICT R&D: A network analysis at the city level

We study the global system of ICT R&D locations at city level by applying network analysis and profiling R&D locations with respect to technological complexity. We analyse how the position of a city in the network interacts with the level of its technological complexity. The results show that the ownership and location of R&D activities are concentrated. However, cities with high levels of R&D-centre ownership are not necessarily the most important locations of R&D activity. Instead, cities where the corporate control of R&D activities is concentrated play the role of the network hubs. We find that there is a clear relationship between the level of technological complexity and the choice of a city as a location for R&D activity and its role as a network hub. Along with the already established global cities, Chinese cities now occupy key positions in the ICT R&D network.

NEPELSKI Daniel;  DE PRATO Giuditta; 

2014-09-08

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD

JRC88718

0042-0980,   

http://usj.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/05/27/0042098014534735,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC88718,   

10.1177/0042098014534735,