The determinants of parallel invention: Measuring the role of information sharing and personal interaction between inventors

Byeongwoo Kang, Rudi Bekkers and Atsushi Ohyama

Research Policy, 2024, vol. 53, issue 10

Abstract: There is abundant evidence that individuals create similar ideas independently at about the same time. While this phenomenon has often been documented, its underlying mechanisms have been understudied empirically. This study investigates two of such mechanisms implied by the theoretical work of Amabile (1983, 1988), Nonaka (1994), and Nonaka et al. (2006). We examine these mechanisms in the empirical setting of 3G and 4G standardization, allowing us to track whether inventors have access to the same technical information and are involved in interactive discussions on technical issues. Using AI-based similarity scores as well as patent examiner decisions on patent similarity, this study finds that individuals create similar knowledge when identical information inputs are given, and also when they exchange thoughts and ideas among them. The latter effect on parallel inventions is stronger and more robust than the former effect. Our findings deepen the understanding of knowledge creation and provide practical implications for organisations that seek to innovate.

Keywords: Idea twin; Parallel invention; Patent similarity; Similar knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D82 O31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048733324001410
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:53:y:2024:i:10:s0048733324001410

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2024.105092

Access Statistics for this article

Research Policy is currently edited by M. Bell, B. Martin, W.E. Steinmueller, A. Arora, M. Callon, M. Kenney, S. Kuhlmann, Keun Lee and F. Murray

More articles in Research Policy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().