Network Indicators and Globalization: Public Policy Implications (Sponsored Research Project)

Research and Event Summaries

Project Abstract

A major research initiative, "Innovation Networks," at GWU's Center for International Science and Technology Policy (CISTP) rests on the integration of two large longitudinal databases—one of strategic technical alliance, and the other of patent and patent citations. Thanks to financial support from GWU's Center for the study of Globalization and the National Science Foundation, these two databases are now linked at the level of organization (e.g., firm, university). The merger (INNET databases) provides the basis for the generation of the first sets of general network indicator categories (e.g., the broad patter of cooperation in the automobile industry.) Three papers have been produced thus far, and several more are underway on the theme of globalization and "networked" innovation.

The next step for the research project is to systematically create sets of indicators across sectors, describe and explain global networking differences among them, and place the analysis in the appropriate policy contexts—especially the policy debate about globalization. That is, we will tailor the innovation network indicators to discrete policy debates, issues, and parties-at-interest.

An example would be the biotechnology sector. What are the implications forscience policy or for education policy of the proliferation of biotech innovationnetworks? How does all this affect universities? Other sectors of interestare telecommunications, computers, automobiles, and knowledge-intensive services.

Faculty

Robert Rycroft (PI), Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
Nicholas S. Vonortas, Associate Professor, Department of Economics

Events

Global Corporations vs. Global NGOs: Who's Driving Globalization?
Globalization Brown Bag

Publications

Technology-Based Globalization Indicators: The Centrality Of Innovation Network Data
Occasional Paper, CSGOP-02-09

Self-Organizing Innovation Networks: Implications for Globalization
Occasional Paper, CSGOP-03-16

The GW Center for the Study of Globalization
2033 K Street, NW, Suite 230 • Washington, DC 20052 • Phone: (202) 994-5206 • Fax: (202) 994-5284
Email: gwcsg@gwu.edu • http://gstudynet.org/