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Recently, the concept of the global innovation network (GIN) has been emphasized in view of increasing joint international research within regional economies as enabled by drastic changes in technology. However, insights gained from quantitative analysis of GINs are lacking. This study empirically investigated the GINs among major cities in East Asia by using data on patented co-inventions. This included an analysis of the factors that influence networks in the formation of international research collaborations in East Asia, and its interplay with geographical proximity. The results of the analysis suggest that there is a system of mesoscale international networks such as those in East Asia between GINs and national innovation systems. Our findings suggest that future policy should be more supportive of international innovation networks, especially in East Asia. Highlights. This study traces the evolution of global innovation networks among major East Asian cities over time. . China, South Korea, and Taiwan are increasing their share in the network. . Geographical proximity has the greatest influence on global innovation network. . Networks formed by transnational geographic proximity are found between major cities.

This study clarifies the relationship between spatial proximity and innovation networks by analyzing and comparing Korean and Japanese innovation systems. These systems have their similar backgrounds, but different innovation policies. The structural features of these innovation networks include hubs, sub-groups, and islands with pipeline linkages. The innovation network is formed by mixing of organizational proximity and geographical proximity within urban systems. Therefore, innovation policy should consider these network structure and urban system patterns, with flexible network governance. In addition, the innovation network can be successfully fostered through promotion policies within a single region rather than as distributions across regions.

The Smart City (SC) constitutes an imagined future city that achieves improved public service efficiency through technological development. However, the answers to how a smart city approach can contribute to urban sustainability still need to be clarified.Therefore, this study examines smart city development as a solution for urban challenges by comparing smart city services in two countries, Korea and Japan. Smart city initiatives and plans from local governments were collected from 16 cities in Korea and 20 cities in Japan.At the same time, major urban issues for both countries are identified in physical, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The linkage between urban challenges and smart city services is visualized with a network graph. The results show that the majority of the services are relevant to spatial and environmental urban challenges. Also, the use of big data and AI is dominant. Smart city approaches can help local governments to overcome the lack of resources in the era of population decline and aging society and enhance urban safety issues.

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