Are Spatial Networks of Firms Random? Evidence from Vietnam

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2011
Country:
Vietnam
Document Type:
Working Paper
Theme:
Economic Growth
Authors:
Newman, C., Howard, E., Thijssen, J.

Abstract

We present a new approach for the empirical investigation of agglomeration patterns. We examine the clustering of manufacturing firms by identifying patterns of spatial network formation that deviate from randomly generated networks. Using firm-level panel data from Vietnam we calculate transitivity, a measure to determine the strength of clustering of manufacturing firms. We then test whether the observed clustering of firms is greater than that of a randomly generated network. Our findings suggest that the extent of clustering is over and above that which can be attributed to the legal and regulatory framework, economic zoning, or population patterns.

Citation

Howard, E.; Newman, C.; Thijssen, J. Are Spatial Networks of Firms Random? Evidence from Vietnam. UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, Finland (2011) 18 pp. ISBN 978-92-9230-45-454-6 [WIDER Working Paper No. 2011/87]

Are Spatial Networks of Firms Random? Evidence from Vietnam

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2011
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