Between spilling over and boiling down: network-mediated spillovers, local knowledge base and productivity in European regions

Abstract Productivity across European regions is related to three types of networks that mediate R&D-related knowledge spillovers: trade, co-patenting and geographical proximity. Both our panel and instrumental variable estimations for European regions suggest that network relations are crucial sources of R&D spillovers, but with potentially different features. Both import and co-patenting relations affect local productivity directly, but spillovers from innovation-leading regions are effective only when they are import-mediated and when recipient regions have a solid knowledge base. From a policy perspective, this may frustrate recent European policy initiatives, such as Smart Specialization, which are designed to benefit all regions in Europe