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Like Doktorvater, like Son? Tracing Role Model Learning in the Evolution of German Laser Research

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  • Buenstorf Guido

    (Institute of Economics and International Center for Higher Education Research (INCHER-Kassel), University of Kassel, Nora-Platiel-Strasse 5, 34109 Kassel, Germany)

  • Geissler Matthias

    (Institute of Economics and International Center for Higher Education Research (INCHER-Kassel), University of Kassel, Nora-Platiel-Strasse 5, 34109 Kassel, Germany)

Abstract

We trace individual-level learning and knowledge transfer in public research by matching about 5,000 doctoral dissertations and their advisors over the full history of German laser research. We study the number of laser-related dissertations per advisor, publication and patent outputs of advisors and doctoral students, as well as the likelihood that former students started laser firms or attained professorships. Our results suggest a substantial relevance of non-codified knowledge and role model learning in public research. There is little evidence of pronounced barriers to entry into laser research.

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  • Buenstorf Guido & Geissler Matthias, 2014. "Like Doktorvater, like Son? Tracing Role Model Learning in the Evolution of German Laser Research," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 234(2-3), pages 158-184, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:234:y:2014:i:2-3:p:158-184
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2014-2-305
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Broström, Anders, 2019. "Academic breeding grounds: Home department conditions and early career performance of academic researchers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7), pages 1647-1665.
    2. Nora Hesse & Jürgen Brünjes, 2018. "How entrepreneurial are students who intend to become academics? – A study of career motives," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 38(1), pages 27-52, February.
    3. Heinisch, Dominik & König, Johannes & Otto, Anne, 2019. "The IAB-INCHER project of earned doctorates (IIPED): A supervised machine learning approach to identify doctorate recipients in the German integrated employment biography data," IAB-Discussion Paper 201913, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    4. Negin Salimi & Rudi Bekkers, 2014. "Does working with industry come at a price? A study of doctoral candidates’ performance in collaborative vs. non-collaborative PhD projects," Working Papers 14-09, Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies, revised May 2014.
    5. Blankenberg, Ann-Kathrin & Buenstorf, Guido, 2016. "Regional co-evolution of firm population, innovation and public research? Evidence from the West German laser industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 857-868.
    6. Coda-Zabetta, Massimiliano & Lissoni, Francesco & Miguélez, Ernest, 2024. "International mobility and collaboration of German scientists, 2005-2020," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 8-2024, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.
    7. Buenstorf, Guido & Heinisch, Dominik P., 2020. "When do firms get ideas from hiring PhDs?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).

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