Impacts of EU funded R&D networks on the generation of key enabling technologies: Empirical evidence from a regional perspective

Abstract

Cross-regional R&D networks are essential for regional innovativeness. Yet, we lack insights into technology field-specific effects of a region's network connectivity. This study investigates key enabling technologies (KETs) to compare knowledge creation effects of EU funded R&D networks for different technological fields. By applying spatially filtered regression models together with marginal effect interpretations for non-linear models we quantify and compare network effects across KET fields. Results show that the generally positive network effects differ depending on region-internal endowments and the nature of the underlying technologies. Policy implications arise for the interrelations between EU research, industrial and regional policy.