Elena Paglialunga (University of Urbino) (webinar)

“Network-driven positive externalities in clean energy technology production”

Abstract: We propose a model of national innovation production that formalizes the role of trade partnerships as a channel of knowledge spillovers across countries. The model is used to investigate the energy efficiency technological domain in the European Union (EU) using a panel database covering 19 EU countries for the time span 1990-2015. The model is estimated by using a new empirical strategy which allow to assess the knowledge spillover effects benefiting a country depending on its relative position in the trade network, and correct for common endogeneity concerns. We show that being central in the trade network is a significant determinant of a country’s innovative performance, and that learning-by-exporting is responsible for positive knowledge spillovers across countries. We further reveal that neglecting network effects may significantly reduce our understanding of domestic innovation patterns. Finally, we find that the benefits obtained from knowledge diffusion varies with the domestic absorptive capacity and policy mix composition. Our main implication is that policy mix design informed by network-based case studies could help maximizing the exploitation of positive knowledge spillovers.Keywords Network analysis; Knowledge spillovers; Technological capability; Energy efficiency; Residential sector.
J.E.L. 033; 038; Q48; Q55

Joint with Valeria Costantini (Roma Tre University) and Valerio Leone Sciabolazza (University of Naples Parthenope).