关键词: 地理集聚, 空间依赖, 探索性空间数据分析, 知识溢出, 中国

Abstract: Using the methods of exploratory spatial data analysis（ESDA）and spatial analysis software, this paper analyzes the spatial distribution of innovation outputs, measured by the number of patient applications, throughout 31 Chinese provinces from 1997 to 2009. The visual patent distribution plot has shown the distribution of innovation outputs at the provincial level and its spatial dynamic changes. A significant high level of spatial concentration of innovation outputs among Chinese provinces has been captured by the computed spatial Gini coefficient and Theil index, and the concentration level has increased steadily over the past years. The analysis using the Moran’s I statistic gives the strong evidence of spatial autocorrelation in innovation activities among provinces, while the concentration pattern of innovation activities among provinces and its changes over time have been revealed by using the local Moran’s I and the Moran scatter plot, which indicate the clustering nature of the spatial distribution of provincial innovation activities. This study can provide a scientific basis for the intuitive expression of the spatial correlation of innovation outputs among provinces, and puts forward that the spatial statistical analysis could present some references valuable for analyzing spatial structure and patterns and policy-making.

Key words: geographic concentration, spatial dependence, ESDA, knowledge spillovers, china.