Mobility and innovation: a critical review

Abstract

The increasing attention given to inventors’ mobility and its relationship with regional innovative activity has garnered significant interest among scholars. This review critically examines the key findings in this area, identifying both strengths and limitations in existing research. The discussion is organized into three primary areas: first, the mechanisms by which mobility influences innovation; second, the effects of mobility on the regions involved; and third, the factors that drive inventors’ mobility. The review concludes that while recent studies have made notable contributions to understanding these dynamics, there remains a need for new analytical frameworks. These would be instrumental not only in reconciling divergent perspectives but also in shaping future research directions.