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wp0903.pdf
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<p><p>We investigate evidence for spatially mediated knowledge transfer from university research. We examine whether firms locate their R&D labs near universities, and whether those that do are more likely to co-operate with, or source knowledge from universities. We find that pharmaceutical firms locate R&D near to frontier chemistry research departments, consistent with accessing localised knowledge spillovers, but also linked to the presence of science parks. In industries such as chemicals and vehicles there is less evidence of immediate co-location, but those innovative firms that do locate near to relevant research departments are more likely to engage with universities.</p></p>
Authors
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Helen Simpson
![Laura Abramovsky](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-05/Laura_Abramovsky.jpg?itok=qe_6dffb)
Research Fellow Institute for Fiscal Studies
Laura is a Research Fellow at IFS. Her current work focuses on tax and social protection policy and programme evaluation in developing countries.
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.ifs.2009.0903
- Publisher
- IFS
Suggested citation
Abramovsky, L and Simpson, H. (2009). Geographic proximity and firm-university innovation linkages: evidence from Great Britain. London: IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/geographic-proximity-and-firm-university-innovation-linkages-evidence-great-britain (accessed: 30 June 2024).
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