Does Geography Matter for Eco‐Innovation? A Comparison of Collaborative Eco‐Innovation Between Core and Peripheral Regions

ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of geographic location in the relationship between external collaboration and eco‐innovation by drawing on eco‐innovation and the geography of innovation literature. Analyzing data from 3518 Norwegian firms in the service sector, we find that geographic location shapes how firms collaborate with external partners on eco‐innovation. Despite finding that collaboration with partners at all geographic scales is positively associated with eco‐innovation in both core and peripheral regions, we find a positive relation between firms located in peripheral regions and collaboration with international partners. Moreover, the geographic breadth of partners holds a more pronounced association for firms in peripheral regions than for those in core regions. Our findings highlight the need for firms to take account of location when formulating collaboration strategies and emphasize the importance of diverse partnerships for advancing eco‐innovation development in peripheral regions.