Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/204608 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
Jena Economic Research Papers No. 2019-004
Publisher: 
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena
Abstract: 
From a macro perspective, inventor networks are characterized by rather stable structures. However, the high levels of fluidity of inventors and their ties found in reality contradicts this macro pattern. In order to explain these contradicting patterns, we zoom in on the intermediate group structures of co-patenting relationships found among inventors in German laser technology research over a period of 45 years. Our findings suggest that continuity of individual actors is not a key factor in maintaining structural stability of networks. Group level explorations indicate that the successor of an existing key player belonged to the exiting key player's ego-network, indicating that the group level provides a source of stability and functionality to the system.
Subjects: 
Inventor network
network stability
key player analysis
innovation
laser technology
JEL: 
D22
D85
L23
O3
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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