Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
case except Germany, in which the cross-regional dispersion of
patented research is much greater, such that no single region
attains 30 per cent of patenting from national sources (Cantwell
and Noonan 2001).
Overall, the results of the statistical and regression analysis
support our hypotheses, indicating that trends towards a reinforcing
or a broadening of specialization may simultaneously occur in the
same large area (Europe) depending upon the regional location, its
structure of comparative advantages and the underlying agglom-
eration forces. The regional cases show that three locations have
registered broader patterns of technological specialization over the
27 years here considered (Baden Wurttemberg, Flanders-Brussels
and South Netherlands), while for the other European regions the
sectoral composition of their technological profile has followed a
strong cumulative path (South East, Lombardia, the Basel region,
Île de France and Stockholm-Ôstra Mellansverige).
In conclusion, the empirical findings show that in the European
area, which has been influenced by a process of strong economic
restructuring as a consequence of integration processes, two dif-
ferent paths may be observed over the last decades:
'First order' regions, especially those characterized by more
mature clusters of activity, which have become more narrowly
specialized in their technological activities, might experience
a slower process of convergence between old and new
technologies because of a lock-in trend due to both the initial
pattern of specialization and the institutional environment;
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'First order' regions, especially those in which geographi-
cal agglomeration of general economic activity has been
strongly affected by EU integration, being also closer to the
EU institutional core, which have broadened their speciali-
zation, might experience a faster process of convergence
between old and new technologies, reaching a potentially
greater competitiveness. Such a positive evolutionary path
has involved catching up in some fast-growing and 'general
purpose' technological fields, which are likely to lie at the
heart of spillovers between indigenous and foreign-owned
firms (e.g., ICT sectors - such as telecommunications,
image and sound equipment, semiconductors and office
equipment - and General mechanics).
