In recent years, the innovation geography has become an essential perspective for innovation study. Moreover, the regional innovation network is a significant organizational form for enhancing enterprises competitiveness in the region, especially SMEs. Based on data from the Web of Science, this paper uses Citespace software and VOSviewer software to analyzes publications from 1980 to 2017 in 21 geography journals under the theme of innovation network. The main findings suggest that the regional innovation network develops in rapid pace since 2000 and takes a vital position gradually. The European research scholars and institutions contribute the largest number of publications in the field, forming the relevant academic group at the same time. The disciplines closely link with the regional innovation networks including the information technology, the economy, the sociology and so on. There are 5 research directions about the regional innovation network: knowledge, proximity, learning, network and innovation respectively. The research hotspots focus on the global cities, rural development, global buzz, knowledge pipelines, spatial patterns, industrial development, regional evolution, competitive advantages, collective behaviors, knowledge transfer, and regional innovation strategies.
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