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The network origins of Schumpeterian innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Fabio Pammolli

    (DIG and Center for Analysis, Decisions and Society, Politecnico di Milano)

  • Massimo Riccaboni

    (IMT School of Advanced Studies)

  • Alessandro Spelta

    (Center for Analysis Decision and Society
    University of Pavia)

Abstract

This paper investigates the key driving features of the evolving long-term division of innovative labor in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals from 1981 to 2012. Our main goal is to find if technological trajectories and mechanisms discovered by Orsenigo et al. (Res Policy 30(3): 485–508, 2001) as the main drivers of the structural configuration of the network of collaborative alliances have been at work in the long-term evolution of the industry. We extensively analyze the evolving dynamics of the degree distribution and the higher order properties of the R&D network. As in Orsenigo et al. (Res Policy 30(3): 485–508, 2001), we find that polarization through preferential attachment driven by large pharmaceutical companies as Developers and by the entry of new specialized biotechnology companies acting as Originators of new R&D opportunities dominated the early stages of the biotechnology revolution. Later on the evolution of the collaborative network has been shaped by roles’ transitions between Originators and Developers of innovative ideas. Against this background, we introduce parsimonious model of network formation and evolution is introduced, to account for some essential features of the data generating processes underlying the evolution of the network.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabio Pammolli & Massimo Riccaboni & Alessandro Spelta, 2021. "The network origins of Schumpeterian innovation," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(5), pages 1411-1431, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:31:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s00191-021-00733-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-021-00733-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Valentina Pieroni & Nicola Lattanzi & Massimo Riccaboni, 2024. "The dynamic impact of inter-firm network agreements," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 939-969, October.
    2. Mingrui He & Min Mei & Handan Zhang, 2024. "Evolutionary Stages and Paths of Innovation Networks in Industrial Clusters: Case Study of Nanchong Silk-Spinning Garment Industry Cluster (SSGIC)," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 1703-1735, March.
    3. Kelchtermans, Stijn & Leten, Bart & Rabijns, Maarten & Riccaboni, Massimo, 2022. "Do licensors learn from out-licensing? Empirical evidence from the pharmaceutical industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    4. Luca Verginer & Federica Parisi & Jeroen van Lidth de Jeude & Massimo Riccaboni, 2022. "The Impact of Acquisitions in the Biotechnology Sector on R&D Productivity," Papers 2203.12968, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2024.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pharmaceutical industry; Network theory; Technological change; R&D collaboration; Relational regimes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • C00 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - General
    • L00 - Industrial Organization - - General - - - General

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