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A history of collaboration in US invention: changing patterns of co-invention, complexity and geography

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  • Frank van der Wouden

Abstract

Research suggests that increasing collaboration in knowledge production is explained by rising complexity of knowledge. Yet, there is little long-run, systematic, empirical evidence on the relationship between complexity and collaboration. A new database is introduced that identifies all (co-)inventors on more than 3 million US patents between 1836 and 1975. Empirical analysis reveals (i) collaboration on US patents began to increase in the 1940s; (ii) there is a robust positive relationship between complexity and collaboration; and (iii) increasing complexity is associated with local rather than nonlocal collaboration.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank van der Wouden, 2020. "A history of collaboration in US invention: changing patterns of co-invention, complexity and geography," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 29(3), pages 599-619.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:29:y:2020:i:3:p:599-619.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dtz058
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N9 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • 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

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