Spatial determinants of inventive capacity in Brazil: the role of inventor networks

This paper investigates the role of inventor networks in regional inventive capacity in Brazil for 558 regions in the period 2000–11. Based on the knowledge-production function (KPF), it focuses on four network measurements: intra- and interregional collaborative inventor links, density of the network, and international collaboration among Brazilian and foreign inventors. The main results show that intra-regional inventive collaborations exert a positive impact, while denser networks negatively influence regional inventive productivity. Interregional collaborative links have a ‘U’-shape relationship with inventive productivity only for South and Southeast. Inventions in the North, Northeast and Centre–West rely on international collaborative links.

本研究以2000至2011年间巴西的558个区域为研究样本，探讨发明者网络在区域创新能力中的作用机制。本研究基于知识生产函数（Knowledge-Production Function, KPF），重点考察四类网络测度指标：区域内与跨区域的发明者合作联结、网络密度，以及巴西与外国发明者之间的国际合作。主要研究结果表明：区域内创新合作对区域创新生产力具有正向推动作用，而更密集的网络则会对区域创新生产力产生负向影响。仅在巴西南部与东南部区域，跨区域合作联结与创新生产力呈现U型相关关系。巴西北部、东北部以及中西部区域的创新成果则依赖于国际合作联结。