Spatial convergence clubs and innovation persistence: a country-group comparison of international spatial spillover of innovation capabilities

This study aims to determine whether cross-country spatial effects of innovation capabilities result into global convergence clubs. The spatial econometric modelling is applied on a panel of three groups of countries covering a period from 2007 to 2017. The analysis provides strong evidence on the existence of international diffusion of innovation capabilities among member countries of EU and APEC, but such relationship does not hold true for SWA countries. The trade share also contributes significantly for EU and APEC countries. The SWA group of countries firstly need to build their indigenous resources that can complement the knowledge adoption from abroad. The spillover benefits occur only if a country is in proximity with high innovation performance country with greater economic integration and higher trade share among themselves. There is presence of spatial convergence club among group of high innovating countries which is an outcome of knowledge globalization through well integrated economic cooperation. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.