Measuring the Internationalisation of the Generation of Knowledge

Abstract

This paper presents three new patent–based indicators of internationalisation of knowledge generation. They measure the extent of international co- operation in research and the international location of research facilities associated with multinational firms — i.e., cross-border ownership. These indicators are based on triadic patent data (patent families applied in the US, Europe and Japan), and on the patents granted by the USPTO. They witness both an increasing trend towards generation and the large cross-country internationalisation of knowledge differences in the extent of internationalisation. The degree of technological internationalisation is higher for small countries and for countries with a low R&D intensity. Two countries are more likely to collaborate if they are close to each other, if they have a similar technological specialization and if they share a common language. innovative activities is an important component of the ongoing trend towa