Exploring the Structure of International Technology Diffusion

Abstract

Globalization has highlighted changes in socio-economic terms and is reshaping the world. The international diffusion of technology therefore becomes one of the most important topics of economics and technology policy research. However, comparing endogenous factors, exogenous factors are complexity and demonstrate as network phenomenon. The network phenomenon composes by neither solely nor independently unit. Countries in global network demonstrated interdependent, and influenced by many others. Thus, this study utilizes social network analysis to investigate the structural configuration of international technology diffusion. This study provides macro perspective on diffusion structure research. The purpose of this study is to investigate the deep structure of international technology diffusion and structural differences between embodied and disembodied technology diffusion networks. This work also provides an understanding of the nature of globalization. The findings not only illustrate the pattern change of diffusion structure form cascade-like to radial-like, but also present the structural configuration of technologically advanced countries and the competitive positions of each country. The findings regarding the diffusion pattern changes and network position identifications can make policy implications for countries interested in exogenous effects for technological growth.