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

Daniel Nepelski and Giuditta De Prato

Urban Studies, 2015, vol. 52, issue 4, 721-737

Abstract: We study the global system of information and communication technology (ICT) research and development (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.

Keywords: globalisation; innovation and R&D; network analysis; networks; specialisation; technological complexity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:52:y:2015:i:4:p:721-737

DOI: 10.1177/0042098014534735

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