Polycentric Network-embeddedness: A quantitative network analysis based on knowledge flows between EU-regions

Abstract

In recent years an increasing number of scholars emphasised the importance of network-embeddedness for the competitive position of cities. The term ‘polycentric metropole’ grew in popularity over the traditional ‘monocentric’ metropole. However, identifying the networks that play an important role in network-embedded polycentricity has remained a critical issue over the last 20 years. With this thesis an attempt has been made to identify the networks that form this network dimension of polycentric metropoles. This was done by comparing and analysing knowledge flows of a selection of polycentric and monocentric metropoles and non-metropolitan regions within the EU. This thesis has shown that patent co-inventor linkage data has the potential to identify networks. Furthermore, the outcomes support the argument that size and concentration are not the only paths towards more competitive and economically successful cities. Furthermore, the outcomes imply that cities should not be studied in isolation but within the context of networks.