The impact of borders and distance on knowledge spillovers — Evidence from cross-regional scientific and technological collaboration

Abstract

Scientific and technical cooperation (STC) is an important knowledge spillover method that significantly impacts the development of regional innovation systems. Although previous studies have explored the factors influencing STC, they have often overlooked border effects. Using STC data, this study explores the heterogeneous effects of natural, administrative, and cultural borders on cross-regional STC using spatial analysis and a negative binomial regression model and reveals the knowledge spillovers' border effect and its mechanism. The empirical results suggest the following: (1) Different types of borders have different effects on STC, with administrative borders having the strongest hindering effect on knowledge spillovers. (2) Population flow significantly weakens the negative effect of administrative borders on STC and knowledge spillovers, but scientific and technological competition strengthens it. (3) There is an urban hierarchy effect and a geographical proximity effect on knowledge spillovers.