Centrality of regions in R&D networks: a new measurement approach using the concept of bridging paths

• Published in: Regional studies 2017-08, Vol.51 (8), p.1165-1178
• Main Authors: Bergé, Laurent R., Wanzenböck, Iris, Scherngell, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aggregated networks; aggregierte Netzwerke; Behavior; Bridging; centralidad de las redes de regiones; centralité interrégionale; co-patent networks; connexité interrégionale; Diversification; interregional bridges; interregional R&D networks; interregionale Brücken; interregionale F&E-Netzwerke; Kopatent-Netzwerke; Links; Measurement; Network analysis; Network centrality; network centrality of regions; Networks; Netzwerkzentralität von Regionen; Participation; R&D; redes agregadas; redes de patentes compartidas; redes interregionales de I+D; Regional analysis; Regional development; Regional studies; Regions; Research & development; réseaux agrégés; réseaux de brevets conjoints; réseaux de R et D interrégionaux; Social behavior; Social network analysis; Social networks; Social organization; vínculos interregionales; 共同专利网络; 区域的网络核心性; 聚集网络; 跨区域R&D网络; 跨区域连结
• ISSN: 0034-3404; 1360-0591
• DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2016.1269885

Centrality of regions in R&D networks: a new measurement approach using the concept of bridging paths. Regional Studies. This paper introduces a novel measure of regional centrality in the context of research and development (R&D) networks. It first demonstrates some substantial problems of social network analysis (SNA)-based centrality measures to cope with regional R&D networks in a meaningful way. It then proposes a new measurement approach of regional network centrality based on the concept of interregional bridging paths (indirect connections at the regional level). The paper shows that the formal definition of the regional bridging centrality measure can be expressed in terms of three simple components: the participation intensity of a region in interregional R&D collaborations; its relative outward orientation in terms of all established links; and its diversification of R&D collaborations among partner regions. The measure and its behaviour with respect to other conventional centrality measures are illustrated by its application to the European co-patent network at the NUTS-2 level.