Networks of international knowledge flows

Abstract

Innovation systems, being dynamic structures tend to become progressively more globalized, reflecting the presence of a greater intensity of cross-border flows. This process is related to the emergence of a Global Innovation System (GIS). Our research investigates this structural transformation by focusing on international knowledge flows (IKFs). To integrate this investigation with the previous literature on national innovation systems (NISs), we examine international knowledge flows connecting institutions (firms, universities, research institutes, hospitals) from different NISs. Among possible IKFs types, we focus on those created by patent citations - of other patents or scientific articles - and scientific co-authorships. We represent the institutions and the IKFs they create as networks where the nodes are the institutions and the links connecting these nodes are the IKFs. We organize the network in three layers according to the type of IKF that connects the institutions: scientific collaboration, patent citation or article citation in patents. We have divided this paper into six sections. The first presents our theoretical background. The second discusses the characteristics and properties of complex networks and complex systems. The third discusses some characteristics of multilayer networks, a concept used as an analytical tool to develop the empirical analysis. The fourth deals with data and methodology. The fifth analyses the structure of the three network layers, their entanglement and multiplex properties, as well as the institutions connecting them. The sixth and conclusive section discusses how those findings improve the understanding of an emerging GIS.