Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Star Scientists as Drivers of the Development of Regions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Innovation, Growth and Competitiveness

Part of the book series: Advances in Spatial Science ((ADVSPATIAL))

Abstract

This chapter investigates the location pattern (at the NUTS 2 level) of European-based star scientists (identified by the number of citations they generated in journals in the ISI database) as well as the degree and intensity of knowledge sharing activities performed by the scientific elite in their regions of choice. Using a unique dataset of 197 star scientists, we demonstrate that Europe’s world-class researchers are strongly concentrated in a few major places and tend to embed themselves in these regions by creating multiple knowledge linkages to actors from the academic, industrial and policy world. Our empirical research clearly suggests that star scientists located in Europe are far from being isolated inhabitants of the ivory tower. By adopting various mechanisms of knowledge transfer and promoting a circulation of advanced expertise, star scientists have the potential to drive the development of Europe’s regions.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    A number of 192 European-based star scientists provide information about their current location at the regional level. As indicated above, 178 stars reside in EU regions. The remaining 14 stars are located in regions and countries not belonging to the European Union. These include Zurich (six stars), Lausanne (three stars), Geneva (two stars) and Basel (one star) in Switzerland, as well as Oslo (one star) and Trondheim (one star) in Norway.

References

  • Agrawal A, Henderson R (2002) Putting patents in context: exploring knowledge transfer from MIT. Manage Sci 48(1):44–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asheim B, Gertler M (2005) The geography of innovation: regional innovation systems. In: Fagerberg J, Mowery D, Nelson R (eds) The Oxford handbook of innovation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 291–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Azoulay P, Ding W, Stuart T (2009) The impact of academic patenting on the rate, quality and direction of (public) research output. J Ind Econ 57(4):637–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baba Y, Shichijo N, Sedita S (2009) How do collaborations with universities affect firms’ innovative performance? The role of “Pasteur scientists” in the advanced materials field. Res Policy 38:756–764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergman E (2010) Knowledge links between European universities and firms: a review. Pap Reg Sci 89(2):311–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Breschi S, Lissoni F, Montobbio F (2007) The scientific productivity of academic inventors: new evidence from Italian data. Econ Innov New Technol 16(2):101–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke P (2002) Knowledge economies. Clusters, learning and cooperative advantage. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Calderini M, Franzoni C, Vezzulli A (2007) If star scientists do not patent: the effect of productivity, basicness and impact on the decision to patent in the academic world. Res Policy 36(3):303–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooke P, DeLaurentis C, Tödtling F, Trippl M (2007) Regional knowledge economies. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • David P, Foray D (2003) Economic fundamentals of the knowledge society. Policy Futures Educ 1:20–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etzkowitz H, Leydesdorff L (2000) The dynamics of innovation: from national systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix of university – industry – government relations. Res Policy 29:109–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etzkowitz H, Webster A, Gebhardt C, Terra B (2000) The future of the university and the university of the future: evolution of the ivory tower to entrepreneurial paradigm. Res Policy 29:313–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman M, Owens R (2007) Bringing science to life (Introduction to the special issue). J Technol Transf 32(3):127–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman M, Schipper H (2007) Bringing science to life. An overview on countries outside of North America (Introduction to the special issue). J Technol Transf 32(4):297–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furukawa R, Goto A (2006) Core scientists and innovation in Japanese electronic companies. Scientometrics 68(2):227–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein H, Renault C (2004) Contributions of Universities to regional economic development. A quasi-experimental approach. Reg Stud 38(7):733–746

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunasekara C (2006) Reframing the role of Universities in the development of regional innovation systems. J Technol Transf 31:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz I (1966) Some aspects of the effects of the regional distribution of scientific talent on regional economic activity. Manage Sci 13(3):217–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain S, George G, Maltarich M (2009) Academics or entrepreneurs? Investigating role identity modification of university scientists involved in commercialization activity. Res Policy 38:922–935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keeble D (2000) Collective learning processes in European high-technology Milieux. In: Keeble D, Wilkinson F (eds) High-technology clusters, networking and collective learning in Europe. Ashgate, Aldershot, pp 199–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Laestadius S (1998) Technology level, knowledge formation and industrial competence in paper manufacturing. In Eliasson G, Green C, MacCann C (eds) Microfoundations of economic growth. A Schumpeterian perspective. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, pp 212–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Laudel G (2005) Migration currents among the scientific elite. Minerva 43:377–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe R, Golzales-Brambila C (2007) Faculty entrepreneurs and research productivity. J Technol Transf 32(3):173–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahroum S (2003) Brain gain, brain drain: an international overview. Paper presented to the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology Seminar, Alpbach, Austria, 22–23 Aug 2003

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahroum S (2005) The international policies of brain gain: a review. Technol Anal Strateg Manage 17(2):219–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowery D, Sampat B (2005) Universities in national innovation systems. In: Fagerberg J, Mowery D, Nelson R (eds) The Oxford handbook of innovation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 209–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulkay M (1976) The mediating role of the scientific elite. Soc Stud Sci 6:445–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2005) Trends in international migration: SEPEMI, 2004th edn. OECD, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2008) The global competition for talent. Mobility of the highly skilled. OECD, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavitt K (1984) Sectoral patterns of technical change: towards a taxonomy and a theory. Res Policy 13:343–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perkmann M, Walsh C (2007) University-industry relationships and open innovation: towards a research agenda. Int J Manage Rev 9(4):259–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schartinger D, Schibany A, Gassler H (2001) Interactive relations between universities and firms: empirical evidence for Austria. J Technol Transf 26:255–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiller D, Revilla Diez J (2010) Local embeddedness of knowledge spillover agents: empirical evidence from German star scientists. Pap Reg Sci 89(2):275–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephan P, Gurmu S, Sumell A, Black G (2007) Who's patenting in universities? Evidence from the survey of doctorate recipients. Econ Innov New Technol 16(2):71–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorn K, Holm-Nielsen L (2008) International mobility of researchers and scientists: policy options for turning a drain into a gain. In: Solimano A (ed) The international mobility of talent. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 145–167

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tödtling F, Lehner P, Trippl M (2006) Innovation in knowledge intensive industries: the nature and geography of knowledge links. Eur Plann Stud 14(8):1035–1058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trippl M (2009a) Islands of innovation and internationally networked labor markets: magnetic centers for star scientists? SRE Discussion Paper 2009/06, University of Economics and Business, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • Trippl M (2009b) Scientific mobility, international knowledge circulation and regional development. Paper prepared for the DIME Workshop on Technology, Skills and Geography at SPRU, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, 11–12 Sept 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Trippl M, Tödtling F (2008) From the ivory tower to the market place. Knowledge organisations in the development of biotechnology clusters. J Reg Anal Policy 38(2):159–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Tritad A (2008) The brain drain between knowledge based economies: the European human capital outflow to the US. CEPII Working Paper No 2008-08, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Looy B, Ranga M, Callaert J, Debackere K, Zimmermann E (2004) Combining entrepreneurial and scientific performance in academic: towards a compounded and reciprocal Matthew-Effect? Res Policy 33:425–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent-Lancrin S (2006) What is changing in academic research? Trends and future scenarios. Eur J Educ 41:169–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker L, Darby M, Armstrong J (1998a) Geographically localized knowledge: spillovers or markets? Econ Inquiry 36:65–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker L, Darby M, Brewer M (1998b) Intellectual human capital and the birth of U.S. biotechnology enterprises. Am Econ Rev 88:290–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Zucker L, Darby M, Armstrong J (2002) Commercializing knowledge: university science, knowledge capture, and firm performance in biotechnology. Manage Sci 48:138–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker L, Darby M (2006) Movement of star scientists and engineers and high-tech firm entry. NBER Working Paper No. 12172, April 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Zucker L, Darby M (2007) Star scientists, innovation and regional and national immigration. NBER Working Paper No. 13547, October 2007

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman H (1977) Scientific elite: Nobel laureates in the United States. Free, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Regional Development and Environment, Vienna University of Economics and Business, UZA 4, Nordbergstrasse 15, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Michaela Trippl & Gunther Maier

Authors
  1. Michaela Trippl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gunther Maier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michaela Trippl .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Netherlands

    Peter Nijkamp

  2. (ESRI), Economic and Social Research Institute, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, 2, Ireland

    Iulia Siedschlag

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Trippl, M., Maier, G. (2011). Star Scientists as Drivers of the Development of Regions. In: Nijkamp, P., Siedschlag, I. (eds) Innovation, Growth and Competitiveness. Advances in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14965-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14965-8_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-14964-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-14965-8

  • eBook Packages: Business and EconomicsEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation