Is distance dying at last?

Griffith, Rachel, Lee, Sokbae and Van Reenen, John (2008) Is distance dying at last? Centrepiece, 12 (3). pp. 6-10. ISSN 1362-3761

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Abstract

Economists have long been sceptical of claims about the 'death of distance' - the idea that new technology has diminished the significance of geography for economic outcomes. Research by Sokbae Lee, Rachel Griffith and John Van Reenen, which looks at patent citations over a quarter of a century, finds the first hard evidence that distance is indeed becoming less important. Their study finds that measured by the relative speed of patent citations over time, the flow of ideas between countries is getting quicker. If new ideas are benefiting other countries more quickly, it may make less sense to subsidise corporate R&D.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://cep.lse.ac.uk/centrepiece
Additional Information:	© 2008 Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics and Political Science
Library of Congress subject classification:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Journal of Economic Literature Classification System:	O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Technological Change; Research and Development > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Technological Change; Research and Development > O32 - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F23 - Multinational Firms; International Business
Sets:	Collections > Economists Online Research centres and groups > Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) Departments > Economics Collections > CentrePiece
Rights:	http://www.lse.ac.uk/library/rights/LSERO.htm
Identification Number:	CEPCP240
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/4595/

Available Versions of this Item

• Is distance dying at last? Falling home bias in fixed effects models of patent citations. (deposited 30 Apr 2008 14:36)
  • Is distance dying at last? (deposited 02 May 2008 09:41) [Currently Displayed]

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