Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Measuring international trade-related technology spillover: a composite approach of network analysis and information theory

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study of international technology spillover focuses on bilateral relationship between host country and home country, and the study of transnational technology network focuses on the position and power of individual country in a network. Introducing the network model and information theory into the research framework, we propose a new measure of international technology spillover in this present article, in which the bilateral relationship was transformed to multilateral relationship between countries, and network features at the whole network level were investigated instead of at the individual level. By using data from CHELEM-International Trade Database, we measure three transnational spillover networks in the high-tech field from 1979 to 2009, and analyze the results of various technology networks at different time points.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Considering the characteristics at the whole network level is the point of the present article, so we only put forward the visualization of the whole network and no analysis of nodes’ power in network.

References

  • Bernstein, J. I., & Mohnen, P. (1998). International R&D spillovers between US and Japanese R&D intensive sectors. Journal of International Economics, 44(2), 315–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Z., & Guan, J. (2010). The impact of small world on innovation: An empirical study of 16 countries. Journal of Informetrics, 4(1), 97–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coe, D. T., & Helpman, E. (1995). International R&D spillovers. European Economic Review, 39(5), 859–887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cover, M. T., & Thomas, J. A. (2006). Elements of information theory. New York: Wiley.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Criscuolo, P., Narula, R., & Verspagen, B. (2005). Role of home and host country innovation systems in R&D internationalisation: A patent citation analysis. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 14(5), 417–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Debresson, C., & Amesse, F. (1991). Networks of innovators: A review and an introduction to the issue. Research Policy, 20(5), 363–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duguet, E., & Macgarvie, M. (2005). How well do patent citations measure flows of technology? Evidence from French innovation surveys. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 14(5), 375–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, J., & Kortum, S. (1996). Trade in ideas: Patenting and productivity in the OECD. Journal of International Economics, 40(3–4), 251–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finn, J. T. (1976). Measures of ecosystem structure and function derived from analysis of flows. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 56(2), 363–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, L. C. (1979). Centrality in social networks: Conceptual clarification. Social Networks, 1(3), 215–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, L. C., White, D. R., & Romney, A. K. (1992). Research methods in social network analysis. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong, G., & Keller, W. (2003). Convergence and polarization in global income levels: A review of recent results on the role of international technology diffusion. Research Policy, 32(6), 1055–1079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griliches, Z. (1979). Issues in assessing the contribution of research and development to productivity growth. The Bell Journal of economics, 10(1), 92–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guan, J., & Chen, Z. (2012). Patent collaboration and international knowledge flow. Information Processing and Management, 48(1), 170–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, A. G., & Jaffe, A. B. (2003). Patent citation and international knowledge flow: The case of Korea and Taiwan. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 21(6), 849–880.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H. C., Shih, H. Y., & Wu, Y. C. (2011). Contagion effects of national innovative capacity: Comparing structural equivalence and cohesion models. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 78(2), 244–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe, A. B., & Trajtenberg, M. (1999). International knowledge flows: Evidence from patent citations. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 8(1–2), 105–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe, A. B., Trajtenberg, M., & Fogarty, M. (2000). Knowledge spillovers and patent citations: Evidence from a survey of inventors. American Economic Review, 90(2), 215–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe, A. B., Trajtenberg, M., & Henderson, R. (1993). Geographic localization of knowledge spillovers as evidenced by patent citations. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 108(3), 578–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S., Lo, S., & Chang, W. (2009). How do latecomers catch up with forerunners? Analysis of patents and patent citations in the field of flat panel display technologies. Scientometrics, 79(3), 569–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, W. (1998). Are international R&D spillovers trade-related? Analyzing spillovers among randomly matched trade partners. European Economic Review, 42(8), 1469–1481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, W. (2004). International technology diffusion. Journal of Economic Literature, XLII(3), 752–782.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenberg, F., & Pottelsberghe, B. (1998). International R&D spillovers: A comment. European Economic Review, 42(8), 1483–1491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundvall, B.-Å. (1992). National systems of innovation: Toward a theory of innovation and interactive learning. London: Printer Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, B. J. (2007). Technology spillover through trade and TFP convergence: 135 years of evidence for the OECD countries. Journal of International Economics, 72(2), 464–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maskus, K. E. (2004). Encouraging international technology transfer. Geneva: International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Maurseth, P. B., & Verspagen, B. (2002). Knowledge spillovers in Europe: A patent citations analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 104(4), 531–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, M. (2000). What is special about patent citations? Differences between scientific and patent citations. Scientometrics, 49(1), 93–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. R. (1993). National innovation systems: A comparative analysis. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patten, B. C. (1978). Systems approach to the concept of environment. Ohio Journal of Science, 78(4), 206–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutldge, R. W., Basorre, B. L., & Mulholland, R. J. (1976). Ecological stability: An information theory viewpoint. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 57(2), 355–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmon, R., & Shaver, J. (2005). Learning by exporting: New insights from examining firm innovation. Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, 14(2), 431–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C. E. (1948). A mathematical theory of communication. Bell System Technical Journal, 27(379–423), 623–656.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Sharif, N. (2006). Emergence and development of the national innovation systems concept. Research Policy, 35(5), 745–766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shih, H. Y., & Chang, T. L. (2009). International diffusion of embodied and disembodied technology: A network analysis approach. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 76(6), 821–834.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P., & Fox-Kean, M. (2005). Patent citations and the geography of knowledge spillovers: A reassessment. American Economic Review, 95(1), 450–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulanowicz, R. E. (1986). Growth and development: Ecosystems phenomenology. New York: Springer.

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • von Zedtwitz, M., & Gassmann, O. (2002). Market versus technology drive in R&D Internationalisation: Four different patterns of managing research and development. Research Policy, 31(4), 569–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, C., Zhu, B., Charla, G.-B., & Asgari, B. (2001). Global technology spillover and its impact on industry’s R&D strategies. Technovation, 21(5), 281–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, X., & Cai, H. (2009). International technology spillover network analysis and path identification: An empirical study based on patent citation. Studies in Science of Science, 27(9), 1348–1354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yglesias, E. (2003). Porter vs. Porter: Modeling the technological competitiveness of nations. Scientometrics, 57(2), 281–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, L., & Jeon, N. B. (2007). International R&D spillovers: Trade, FDI, and information technology as spillover channels. Review of International Economics, 15(5), 955–976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zitt, M., Ramanana-Rahary, S., Bassecoulard, E., & Laville, F. (2003). Potential science-technology spillovers in regions: An insight on geographic co-location of knowledge activities in the EU. Scientometrics, 57(2), 295–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the EU 7th Framework Programme-Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (MC IIF), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under the Grant Nos. 71203020, 71173026 and 71033002, Youth Foundation for Humanities and Social Science of Ministry of Education of China under the Grant nos. 2YJCZH178, and. Yu-tao SUN truly appreciates the supports from Dr. Cong Cao—Reader at the University of Nottingham.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Management and Economics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, People’s Republic of China

    Yu-tao Sun & Feng-chao Liu

  2. School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG8 1BB, UK

    Yu-tao Sun

Authors
  1. Yu-tao Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Feng-chao Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu-tao Sun.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 5.

Table 5 A list of 95 countries and regions
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sun, Yt., Liu, Fc. Measuring international trade-related technology spillover: a composite approach of network analysis and information theory. Scientometrics 94, 963–979 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0860-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0860-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation