A Multiplex Approach to the Analysis of Knowledge Networks

Evidence shows that knowledge transfer from research institutions and/or from universities contributes to local innovation processes in a variety of ways. Several studies have emphasized that the extent of innovation diffusion is strongly affected by the structure of the network over which the innovation processes take place. Most of these studies have taken a simplified view of relationships among actors by focusing on a single type of ties. However, organizations interact via many links within more complex relations. This contribution is aimed to identify the complex structure of relationships that are at the base of knowledge and innovation diffusion among organizations (innovative firms, academic and research institutions) on a given context. A multiplex approach will be proposed to account for multiple ties among members and multiple roles of members within the structure of the knowledge network. Two forms of knowledge and innovation production will be considered: co-authorship and co-inventions. A case study of the Trieste area (in the North-East part of Italy), characterized by a very high concentration of research organizations and by the emerging of a lively sector of firms in R&D activities, is presented. The embedding of actors in a hierarchical structure (individual researchers, research teams/organizations and company) will be also considered. The case study is designed to show how this approach could capture the complexity of interaction among actors as well as the different roles that actors play within the multiple network structure.