The dynamics of global R&D collaboration networks in ICT: Does China catch up with the US?

Thomas Scherngell,Martina Neuländtner,Charlotte Rohde,Sergi Lozano

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237864

Thomas Scherngell, Martina Neuländtner + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237864

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the structure and dynamics of global R&D collaboration networks in ICT by analyzing cross-country co-patents, with a special focus on the role of China. We employ a Social Network Analysis (SNA) perspective, using information on more than 77 thousand co-patents from 2001–2015. These co-patents are disaggregated by three time periods and four ICT subsectors. Global measures for the network as a whole, as well as local measures on the positioning of countries in the networks are interpreted. The empirical results are highly interesting. First, international R&D collaboration networks in ICT show a dynamic transformation in becoming larger in magnitude (more countries but also more inter-linkages), less centralized and more densely connected, though with varying degrees across ICT subsectors. Second, the powerful position of the US weakens relatively compared to other, increasingly connected countries, in particular China. While China has already surpassed the US in total patenting in ICT in 2015, China is now also catching up from a network perspective shown by its growing central position over the observed time period.

Highlights

In an increasingly globalized world, Research and Development (R&D) collaboration networks–defined as sets of organizations interacting with each other in R&D activities–hold enormous potentials and opportunities and have become an essential element for the successful generation of innovation ([1], among others)
In total Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the number of collaborations almost doubled its value from about 18,000 co-patens in 2001 to 2005 up to 33,700 co-patents in 2011 to 2015. This growth is even more pronounced in the sub-industries of Telecommunications and Computer, Office Machinery, and points to the increased necessity and openness for actors to engage in ICT R&D collaborations
While we can observe a growing body of empirical literature investigating structures and dynamics of international R&D collaboration networks at an aggregated level of countries or regions, there are only a few works exploring systematically such networks for specific scientific or technological fields, such as the ICT sector. This has been a significant research gap, given that ICT–considered as general-purpose technology influencing value added across almost all economic sectors–is characterized by fast innovation cycles, and relevant in a network context, given the ability of such networks to reduce risks and uncertainties in the innovation process

Summary

Introduction

In an increasingly globalized world, Research and Development (R&D) collaboration networks–defined as sets of organizations interacting with each other in R&D activities–hold enormous potentials and opportunities and have become an essential element for the successful generation of innovation ([1], among others). For the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector–a knowledge-intensive sector shaped by fast innovation and production cycles [2]–extensive networking in R&D is essential and of increasing importance, because external knowledge can be collected and integrated faster and more effectively in the innovation process. The increasing competitive position of China, challenging the exclusive and traditional leading position of the US, has been highlighted as one of the most important issues defining the future global economic development since innovations in ICT are an important driver for economic growth given their potential to increase productivity in a wide range of economic sectors [3].

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