R&D networks and their effects on knowledge exploration versus knowledge exploitation: Evidence from a spatial econometric perspective

We argue that the effects of inter-regional R&D networks on regional knowledge creation vary for different modes of knowledge creation–exploitative and explorative–as well as for the quantity and quality of new knowledge created. To explore these differences across European regions, we estimate a set of spatial Durbin models (SDMs) with altering network indicators. The results show that the embedding in inter-regional networks is in general a significant driver for both modes of knowledge creation. While we find a higher positive impact of networks on exploitative than on explorative knowledge creation for the quality of knowledge output, the opposite is true for pure knowledge quantity.