Title: Spatial relation between geo-climate zones and technological outputs to explain the evolution of technology

Authors: Mario Coccia

Addresses: CNR – National Research Council of Italy, IRCRES-CNR, Via Real Collegio, 30 10024 Moncalieri (Torino), Italy; Center for Organization Research and Design, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Ave., 85004-0687, Phoenix, Arizona

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between geo-climate zones of the globe and innovative outputs in order to detect favourable mechanisms that can foster high technological change. Empirical analysis shows that geographical areas with tepid latitudes have higher levels of innovative outputs than non-temperate latitudes. In effect, warm temperate climate has an appropriate natural environment for humans and societies that, by means of a long-run process of adaptation and learning, creates fruitful platforms of institutions, communications and energy systems. These platforms use efficiently human and physical capital to support inventions, innovations and their diffusion, and consequently the path of economic growth. The linkages are discussed to substantiate a theoretical framework, which explains the temperate climate as one of contributing factors for the source and evolution of new technology.

Keywords: geography of innovation; new technology; temperate climate; tepid latitudes; technological change; patents; technological output; innovative milieu; technology evolution; technical change sources; spatial relations; geo-climate zones; adaptation; learning; communications; energy systems; human capital; physical capital; inventions; innovation diffusion; economic growth.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIS.2015.074642

International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems, 2015 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.5 - 21

Received: 04 Dec 2014
Accepted: 28 Sep 2015

Published online: 10 Feb 2016 *

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