Beyond Geography: Mapping Digital and Remote R&D Spillovers in the Post-Pandemic Era

Existing work (e.g., Belderbos et al., 2025; Crespi et al., 2019) emphasizes the importance of physical proximity for spillover effects. However, the acceleration of digital collaboration platforms post-COVID-19 raises the question: can digital “proximity” replicate, enhance, or even surpass geographic spillovers? This project would use patent citation data, collaboration networks, and surveys to compare the effectiveness and mechanisms of digital versus geographic spillovers. The novelty lies in systematically quantifying “digital spillovers” and their relationship to productivity, challenging the assumption that knowledge flows are fundamentally tied to geography. Such insights could dramatically shift R&D location strategies and innovation policy.

References:

1. What do R&D spillovers from universities and firms contribute to productivity? Plant level productivity and technological and geographic proximity in Japan. René Belderbos, Kenta Ikeuchi, K. Fukao, Young Gak Kim, H. Kwon (2025). Industrial and Corporate Change.
2. Innovation, Productivity, and Spillovers Effects: Evidence from Chile. G. Crespi, Lucas Figal Garone, A. Maffioli, Ernesto H. Stein (2019).