Dynamics of regional knowledge creation and inter-city R&D collaboration in China: evidence from an empirical agent-based simulation model

The objective of this study is to simulate the dynamic relationships between regional knowledge creation and inter-city R&D collaboration in China. We contribute to the scarce literature using empirically driven agent-based simulation for modelling regional knowledge creation. We provide original evidence for China creating a better understanding of the underlying micro-dynamics that shape regional knowledge creation rather than on aggregate levels (countries or larger regions). We demonstrate that collaboration produces higher knowledge gains at the system level, but benefits differ across Chinese cities. Moreover, technology-specific knowledge gains from collaborations depend on place-based factors locally moderating collaboration benefits in specific technologies.