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From independent inventor to inventor entrepreneur: an application of the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin A. Miceli

    (Gartner Inc)

  • Shirish Sundaresan

    (Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business)

  • Atul Nerkar

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Tian Chen

    (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business)

Abstract

This study builds on the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship to examine the factors that influence the decision of latent entrepreneurs to move from opportunity recognition to opportunity exploitation and emergent entrepreneurship. Using data on independent inventors from 1975 to 2010, we examine how social, geographic, and industry knowledge spillovers influence the likelihood of technological entrepreneurship. We find that social and geographic knowledge spillovers promote independent inventors’ transition to entrepreneurship, while industry knowledge spillovers may result in deterrents that inhibit their hazard of forming a new venture.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin A. Miceli & Shirish Sundaresan & Atul Nerkar & Tian Chen, 2025. "From independent inventor to inventor entrepreneur: an application of the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 1141-1161, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:64:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-024-00939-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-024-00939-7
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Independent inventors; Knowledge spillovers; Patents;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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