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Collaboration and Connectivity: Historical Evidence from Patent Records

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  • Berger, Thor
  • Prawitz, Erik

Abstract

Why has collaboration become increasingly central to technological progress? We document the role of lowered travel costs by combining patent data with the rollout of the Swedish railroad network in the 19th and early-20th century. Inventors that gain access to the network are more likely to produce collaborative patents, which is partly driven by long-distance collaborations with other inventors residing along the emerging railroad network. These results suggest that the declining costs of interacting with others is fundamental to account for the long-term increase in inventive collaboration.

Suggested Citation

  • Berger, Thor & Prawitz, Erik, 2023. "Collaboration and Connectivity: Historical Evidence from Patent Records," CEPR Discussion Papers 18031, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18031
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    Keywords

    Innovation; Collaboration; Transport infrastructure; Railroads;
    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
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General

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