Small worlds and regional innovative advantage
By: Lee Fleming, Adam Juda, Charles King, III
Contributors: Juda, Adam; King, Charles, 1952-; Harvard Business School. Division of Research
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 04-008; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 04-008
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Boston]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 15
Description: Although small world networks have attracted recent theoretical attention, there exist fewer empirical studies of their evolution and practical importance. This paper investigates how network structure influences innovation and patenting of two critical inputs to our scientific and economic growth. We study the influence of small world structure on regional innovation by investigating networks of inventor collaborations on all U.S. patents from 1975 through 1999. We illustrate crossover from large to small world structure and the emergence of giant components in regional collaboration networks. Small world structure and size of the giant component demonstrate positive and significant influences upon subsequent productivity.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.