Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0 
Author-Name: Christopoulos, George
Author-Email: christopoulos@merit.unu.edu
Author-workplace-name: UNU‐MERIT, Maastricht University
Author-Name: Wintjes, René
Author-Email: wintjes@merit.unu.edu
Author-workplace-name: UNU‐MERIT, Maastricht University
Title: A new indicator for innovation clusters
Abstract: This paper introduces a new approach for the definition of innovation 
	 clusters, based on the co-location of concentrated patenting and 
	 manufacturing activity in the EU. The incorporation of data on both the 
	 production and use of technologies results in an indicator that depicts 
	 both formal and informal modes of innovation and conditions which can be 
	 expected to be conducive to the generation, diffusion and absorption of 
	 innovation, and consequently the enhancement of competitiveness. Our 
	 findings indicate that certain types of patenting and manufacturing 
	 activity tend to co-locate. The sectoral-technological composition of 
	 the three types of concentrations observed points towards a higher level 
	 of diversity than one would expect in the case of narrow specialisation. 
	 Applying the new indicator in a test of the often hypothesised benefits 
	 of innovative clustering, we find that the identified clusters have 
	 consistently higher wages in the sectors concerned.
Keywords: Innovation, clusters, regional studies, patenting, manufacturing
Classification-JEL: O30, R12, L60
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 20160511
Number: 2016-023
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2016/wp2016-023.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2016023