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A history of collaboration in US invention: changing patterns of co-invention, complexity and geography

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  • Frank van der Wouden

Abstract

Research suggests that increasing collaboration in knowledge production is explained by rising complexity of knowledge. Yet, there is little long-run, systematic, empirical evidence on the relationship between complexity and collaboration. A new database is introduced that identifies all (co-)inventors on more than 3 million US patents between 1836 and 1975. Empirical analysis reveals (i) collaboration on US patents began to increase in the 1940s; (ii) there is a robust positive relationship between complexity and collaboration; and (iii) increasing complexity is associated with local rather than nonlocal collaboration.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank van der Wouden, 2020. "A history of collaboration in US invention: changing patterns of co-invention, complexity and geography," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 29(3), pages 599-619.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:29:y:2020:i:3:p:599-619.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dtz058
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Simensen, Erlend Osland & Abbasiharofteh, Milad, 2022. "Sectoral patterns of collaborative tie formation: Investigating geographic, cognitive, and technological dimensions," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 31(5), pages 1223-1258.
    2. Erlend Osland Simensen & Milad Abbasiharofteh, 2022. "Sectoral patterns of collaborative tie formation: investigating geographic, cognitive, and technological dimensions [Endogenous effects and cluster transition: a conceptual framework for cluster po," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 31(5), pages 1223-1258.
    3. René Belderbos & Florence Benoit & Ben Derudder, 2022. "World City Innovation and Service Networks and Economic Growth," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(4), pages 979-999, August.
    4. Esposito, Christopher R., 2023. "The geography of breakthrough invention in the United States over the 20th century," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    5. Abbasiharofteh, Milad & Kinne, Jan & Krüger, Miriam, 2021. "The strength of weak and strong ties in bridging geographic and cognitive distances," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-049, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    6. van der Wouden, Frank, 2022. "Are Chinese cities getting smarter in terms of knowledge and technology they produce?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    7. Bodas Freitas, Isabel Maria & Gonçalves, Ricardo & Sousa, Rui, 2023. "Governance of new product design: The influence of national institutions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    8. Berger, Thor & Prawitz, Erik, 2024. "Collaboration and connectivity: Historical evidence from patent records," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    9. Matheus E. Leusin & Bjoern Jindra & Daniel S. Hain, 2021. "An evolutionary view on the emergence of Artificial Intelligence," Papers 2102.00233, arXiv.org.
    10. Liu, Xielin & Ji, Xiaohui & Ge, Shuang, 2024. "Does the complexity and embeddedness of knowledge recombination contribute to economic development? —— Observations from prefecture cities in China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).
    11. Ron Boschma, 2021. "The role of non-local linkages for innovation," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2113, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Mar 2021.
    12. Nast, Carolin & Broekel, Tom & Entner, Doris, 2024. "Fueling the fire? How government support drives technological progress and complexity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    13. Barbosa, Sergio & Sáiz, Patricio & Zofío, José L., 2024. "The emergence and historical evolution of innovation networks: On the factors promoting and hampering patent collaboration in technological lagging economies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(5).
    14. Nicola Cortinovis & Frank van der Wouden, 2021. "Better by design? Collaboration and performance in the board-game industry," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2104, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Jan 2021.
    15. Niccolò Innocenti & Francesco Capone & Luciana Lazzeretti & Sergio Petralia, 2022. "The role of inventors’ networks and variety for breakthrough inventions," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(1), pages 37-57, February.
    16. Milad Abbasiharofteh & Tom Broekel & Lars Mewes, 2024. "The role of geographic distance and technological complexity in U.S. interregional co-patenting over almost two centuries," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(7), pages 2003-2022, October.
    17. van der Wouden, Frank & Youn, Hyejin, 2023. "The impact of geographical distance on learning through collaboration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    18. Flavio L. Pinheiro & Pierre-Alexandre Balland & Ron Boschma & Dominik Hartmann, 2022. "The Dark Side of the Geography of Innovation. Relatedness, Complexity, and Regional Inequality in Europe," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2202, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Jan 2022.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N9 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics

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