| Regional economics has a broad base of literature with a long and rich history. Each chapter of this work represents a contribution to the current regional economic literature. The first chapter focuses on patent data and examines an unexplored subgroup of inventors called independent inventors. These inventors have fewer ties with traditional institutions and are therefore less geographically restricted. Thus, they are able to locate based on personal preferences and tastes. This chapter explores the determinants of the geographic location of this group, such as external economies of scale and amenities. Chapter 2 extends recent work by McGranahan and Wojan (2007) to examine the connection between patent activity and economic growth. Chapter 3 employs a spatial flow model to analyze the role agglomeration plays in hospital patent flows between South Carolina counties. |
