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The Fluidity of Inventor Networks

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  • Michael Fritsch

    (FSU Jena)

  • Moritz Zoellner

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, School of Economics and Business Administration)

Abstract

We investigate the stability of cooperative relationships between inventors and consequences for the characteristics and patent productivity of the respective regional innovation systems (RIS). The empirical analysis is for nine German regions over a period of 15 years. We find a rather high level of 'fluidity', i.e., entry and exit of actors, as well as instability of their relationships over time. The aggregate characteristics of the regional networks are, however, quite robust even with high levels of micro-level fluidity. There are both significantly positive and negative relationships between micro-level fluidity and the performance of the respective RIS.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Fritsch & Moritz Zoellner, 2017. "The Fluidity of Inventor Networks," Jena Economics Research Papers 2017-009, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2017-009
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    Cited by:

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    3. Michael Fritsch & Moritz Zoellner, 2022. "Actor Fluidity and Knowledge Persistence in Regional Inventor Networks," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Mark Knell, 2021. "The digital revolution and digitalized network society," Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 9-25, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation networks; R&D cooperation; division of innovative labor; patents;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty

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