 Trajectory integration and the impact of inventionsHolmer Kok, Joseph Monroe and Philip Kappen Journal of Business Research, 2025, vol. 191, issue C Abstract: This study introduces the concept of trajectory integration in recombinant search, where inventors recombine multiple inventions from a shared pre-existing trajectory. As inventions within a trajectory build upon their predecessors, we theorize that inventors can learn from these interconnections to develop more effective approaches to new problems. We argue that the benefits of trajectory integration depend on whether inventions in the trajectory belong to the focal domain (inner-domain trajectory integration) or lie outside it (outer-domain trajectory integration). Analyzing 19,266 nuclear energy patent families, we find that inner-domain trajectory integration is linked to higher impact within the focal domain but lower impact outside it. Conversely, outer-domain trajectory integration is associated with impact beyond the focal domain but shows no link to impact within it. We contribute to recombinant search literature by highlighting the relevance of considering the historical context of inventions and their trajectories to better understand their value. Keywords: Recombinant search; Invention trajectories; Domain search strategies; Invention impact (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:191:y:2025:i:c:s0148296325000797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115256 Access Statistics for this article Journal of Business Research is currently edited by A. G. Woodside More articles in Journal of Business Research from Elsevier |
Is your work missing from RePEc? Here is how to contribute.
Questions or problems? Check the EconPapers FAQ or send mail to .
EconPapers is hosted by the
School of Business at Örebro University.