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The dynamics of collective invention

Journal of Economic Behavior & OrganizationPublished 12 September 2003
Robin Cowan, Nicolas Jonard
Citations220
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.44
SNIP1.31

TL;DR

It is found that the communication network structure has a strong influence on system performance and is an efficient architecture when absorption capacities are low, while large absorbing capacities emphasise the value of short path length.

Abstract

This paper models the phenomenon of collective invention as it exists when the disclosure of information among competing entities creates a positive feedback that allows for high innovation rates and fast knowledge accumulation. Develop a formal model that accounts for the dynamics of knowledge and collective invention and examining how the architecture of the network of agents influences patterns and rate of innovation, we find that the communication network structure has a strong influence on system performance. The small world structure is an efficient architecture when absorption capacities are low, while large absorbing capacities, by contrast, emphasise the value of short path length.

Keywords

Decision SciencesPhysics and Astronomy