Networks, Propinquity, and Innovation in Knowledge-intensive Industries

Kjersten Bunker Whittington, Jason Owen‐Smith, Walter W. Powell · 2009 · Administrative Science Quarterly

Summary. Geographic proximity and network position jointly influence innovation in biotechnology firms. The study analyzed U.S. life science patents from 1988–1999 and found that regional clustering and network centrality have complementary but interdependent effects on patenting. Firms benefit from local connections to other biotech companies and universities, but this advantage depends on their global network ties. Regional agglomeration shapes how information flows through networks and determines the innovation impact of network centrality.

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Whittington, K. B., Owen‐Smith, J., & Powell, W. W.. (2009). Networks, Propinquity, and Innovation in Knowledge-intensive Industries. Administrative Science Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.90

@article{whittington-2009-networks-propinquity-innovation-knowledge-intensive,
  title   = {Networks, Propinquity, and Innovation in Knowledge-intensive Industries},
  author  = {Kjersten Bunker Whittington and Jason Owen‐Smith and Walter W. Powell},
  journal = {Administrative Science Quarterly},
  year    = {2009},
  doi     = {10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.90},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.90}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Networks, Propinquity, and Innovation in Knowledge-intensive Industries
AU  - Kjersten Bunker Whittington
AU  - Jason Owen‐Smith
AU  - Walter W. Powell
JO  - Administrative Science Quarterly
PY  - 2009
DO  - 10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.90
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Details

DOI: 10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.90
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: innovation-networks, regional-innovation-systems, innovation-theory, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28