Regional Knowledge Creation and R&D Collaboration in Europe: Specification of an Empirical Agent-Based Model

Abstract

This working paper reports the current stage of development of an agent-based model (ABM) of regional knowledge creation in Europe. Building on the scientific and conceptual foundations laid out before (see Duenser et al. 2017) the paper focuses on the specifications regarding model architecture, knowledge creation processes and collaboration procedures. The novelty of the model is in the extensive use of empirical data for the initialization and the calibration of the ABM, both at the level of firms, at the level of regions and inter-regional networks, which will enable us to apply the model to real world contexts: In policy experiments the effect of external framework conditions (especially policy interventions) on the regional knowledge creation can be simulated, in order to support the ex-ante evaluation of different policy measures in the field of regional innovation. Both the theoretical foundation and the empirical foothold of the model will raise the level of its practical relevance for policymakers at regional, national and European levels.

Keywords: Regional knowledge creation, multi-regional setting, inter-organizational R&D collaboration, patents, agent-based modelling, NUTS2 regions

JEL Classification: C63, O33, R12