Evolving Networks of Inventors

Robin Cowan, Nicolas Jonard and Jean-Benoît Zimmermann ()
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Nicolas Jonard: CREA - Centre de recherche en épistémologie appliquée - X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Jean-Benoît Zimmermann: GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: In this paper we develop a model of R&D alliance formation. Pairs of firms combine their knowledge in an attempt to innovate. Whether this attempt is successful depends in part on whether the pair has been successful in the past: accumulated experience teaches a pair of firms how to innovate together, but at the same time increases the similarity of their knowledge stocks. A tension exists between the desire for a familiar partner, and desire for a partner with complementary knowledge. How this tension is resolved depends on the nature of the innovation process itself, and the elasticity of substitution of different types of knowledge inputs in knowledge production. From the alliance-innovation process, a variety of networks form. In different parts of the parameter space we observe isolated agents, a dense, connected network, and small worlds.

Keywords: Innovation; R&D collaboration; Networks; Knowledge; Computational experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Published in Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 2008, 16, pp.155-174. ⟨10.1007/s00191-005-0013-1⟩

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Chapter: Evolving networks of inventors (2007)
Journal Article: Evolving networks of inventors (2006)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00279215

DOI: 10.1007/s00191-005-0013-1

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