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Schumpeterian patterns of innovation and the sources of breakthrough inventions: evidence from a data-set of R&D awards

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  • Roberto Fontana
  • Alessandro Nuvolari
  • Hiroshi Shimizu
  • Andrea Vezzulli

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between Schumpeterian patterns of innovation and the generation of breakthrough inventions. Our data source for breakthrough inventions is the “R&D 100 awards” competition organized each year by the magazine Research & Development. Since 1963, this magazine has been awarding this prize to 100 most technologically significant new products available for sale or licensing in the year preceding the judgment. We use USPTO patent data to measure the relevant dimensions of the technological regime prevailing in each sector and, on this basis, we provide a characterization of each sector in terms of the Schumpeter Mark I/Schumpeter Mark II archetypes. Our main finding is that breakthrough inventions are more likely to emerge in ‘turbulent’ Schumpeter Mark I type of contexts. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2012

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  • Roberto Fontana & Alessandro Nuvolari & Hiroshi Shimizu & Andrea Vezzulli, 2012. "Schumpeterian patterns of innovation and the sources of breakthrough inventions: evidence from a data-set of R&D awards," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 785-810, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:22:y:2012:i:4:p:785-810
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-012-0287-z
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    Cited by:

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    3. Esposito, Christopher R., 2023. "The geography of breakthrough invention in the United States over the 20th century," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    4. Antonio Malva & Stijn Kelchtermans & Bart Leten & Reinhilde Veugelers, 2015. "Basic science as a prescription for breakthrough inventions in the pharmaceutical industry," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 670-695, August.
    5. Singh, Anuraag & Triulzi, Giorgio & Magee, Christopher L., 2021. "Technological improvement rate predictions for all technologies: Use of patent data and an extended domain description," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
    6. Alberto Botta, 2017. "The Complex Inequality–Innovation–Public Investment Nexus: What We (Don’t) Know, What We Should Know and What We Have to Do," Forum for Social Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 275-298, July.
    7. Daniele Tumidei & Constantinos Alexiou & Michael Bourne, 2021. "A choice and inevitability framework in strategic management: empirical evidence of its real-life existence," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1729-1766, August.
    8. Anuraag Singh & Giorgio Triulzi & Christopher L. Magee, 2020. "Technological improvement rate estimates for all technologies: Use of patent data and an extended domain description," Papers 2004.13919, arXiv.org.
    9. Nuvolari, Alessandro & Russo, Emanuele, 2019. "Technical progress and structural change: a long-term view," MERIT Working Papers 2019-022, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    10. Marianna Epicoco, 2016. "Patterns of innovation and organizational demography in emerging sustainable fields: An analysis of the chemical sector," Post-Print hal-03381224, HAL.
    11. Buchmann, Tobias & Wolf, Patrick, 2024. "Breakthrough inventions in solar PV and wind technologies: The role of scientific discoveries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    12. Ortiz-Villajos, José M. & Sotoca, Sonia, 2018. "Innovation and business survival: A long-term approach," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1418-1436.
    13. Ortiz-Villajos, José M., 2024. "Dynamics of innovation over time: Evidence from the Spanish business elite," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 378-394.
    14. Capponi, Giovanna & Criscuolo, Paola & Martinelli, Arianna & Nuvolari, Alessandro, 2019. "Profiting from innovation: Evidence from a survey of Queen's Awards winners," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 155-169.
    15. Roberto Fontana & Arianna Martinelli & Alessandro Nuvolari, 2021. "Regimes reloaded! A reappraisal of Schumpeterian patterns of innovation, 1977–2011," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(5), pages 1495-1519, November.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation patterns; Radical innovations; Schumpeter Mark I and Mark II; O31; O33;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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