This paper combines network analysis with Granger causality tests to examine the possible causal relationship between a country’s position in the international trade and international patenting networks. This combination has not been examined thus far. The first stage applies social network analysis to the international patenting and international trade networks using data for 82 countries for the period 1995–2018. The international patenting network and international trade network evolution shows that the linking frequency of patenting abroad and trade participation increased during the sample period. In the second stage, panel data Granger causality tests were applied to the computed metrics of the two networks. The results of the Granger causality tests suggest two-way causality between a country’s relative position as recipient of foreign patents and imports. This might suggest an endogeneity or feedback effect between incoming foreign patenting and imports. Granger causality suggests causality from the country’s relative position as sender of patents abroad to exports, but not vice versa. This last finding indicates that by recognizing business opportunities in a destination country, patentees decide to register their innovation in the foreign country before proceeding to export.

本文将网络分析与格兰杰因果关系检验相结合，检验一个国家在国际贸易中的地位与国际专利网络之间可能存在的因果关系。到目前为止，这种组合还没有被研究过。第一阶段使用 1995-2018 年期间 82 个国家的数据将社交网络分析应用于国际专利和国际贸易网络。国际专利网络和国际贸易网络的演变表明，在样本期内，国外专利与贸易参与的联系频率增加。在第二阶段，将面板数据格兰杰因果检验应用于两个网络的计算指标。格兰杰因果关系检验的结果表明，一个国家作为外国专利接受国的相对地位与进口之间存在双向因果关系。这可能表明传入的外国专利和进口之间存在内生性或反馈效应。格兰杰因果关系表明该国作为国外专利发送者的相对地位与出口之间存在因果关系，但不是反之亦然。最后一项发现表明，通过识别目的地国家的商业机会，专利权人决定在进行出口之前在外国注册他们的创新。