Towards an evolutionary economic geography research agenda to study migration and innovation

Abstract

Different strands of literature have provided important insights into the economic effects of high-skilled migration. Evolutionary economic approaches have provided robust evidence and theories to explain how innovation unfolds in regions. However, with few exceptions they have been silent with regard to the role of migration in this process. This paper, while building on the insights of the above streams of literature, will elaborate a conceptual framework which applies evolutionary economic geography concepts to explore the link between migration, knowledge diffusion and regional diversification. By bringing together all the above arguments, this paper brings evolutionary economic geography (EEG) into an unchartered terrain, one where regional innovation meets migration studies. By engaging in these debates, EEG can prove its interpretative power and provide further insights into the drivers of regional economic dynamics and innovation.