A Statistical Analysis of Corporate Technological Leadership Historically

Abstract

This paper examines statistically the dispersion of corporate technological leadership in sectors of rapid development historically. The evidence provided is based on the US patenting of 284 of the largest American and European industrial firms since 1890. It is shown that the diffusion of innovation to followers that are ‘catching up’ in a sector of activity is associated with an especially rapid rate of overall development in that field; that is, the rate of catching up is positively related to the rate of advance. However, during such phases of fast growth leaders tend to preserve at least some elements of their leading position. It is only over longer historical periods that the actual composition of leadership in a sector tends to shift more significantly.

Keywords:

• Technological leadership
• diffusion
• patents
• history of technology
• Schumpeter J.E.L. Classification: 030, 033, L11, C21

^∗John Cantwell is grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for their support under research grant R000232250, to Pilar Barrera who worked on the ESRC project, to Jane Myers and Jim Hirabayashi of the US Patent and Trademark office for their invaluable assistance, and to Cathy Jones and her many fellow students for their tremendous efforts during data collection. Comments from two referees are acknowledged. Birgitte Andersen wishes to thank the Danish Social Science Research Council for their support.

^∗John Cantwell is grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for their support under research grant R000232250, to Pilar Barrera who worked on the ESRC project, to Jane Myers and Jim Hirabayashi of the US Patent and Trademark office for their invaluable assistance, and to Cathy Jones and her many fellow students for their tremendous efforts during data collection. Comments from two referees are acknowledged. Birgitte Andersen wishes to thank the Danish Social Science Research Council for their support.

Notes

^∗John Cantwell is grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for their support under research grant R000232250, to Pilar Barrera who worked on the ESRC project, to Jane Myers and Jim Hirabayashi of the US Patent and Trademark office for their invaluable assistance, and to Cathy Jones and her many fellow students for their tremendous efforts during data collection. Comments from two referees are acknowledged. Birgitte Andersen wishes to thank the Danish Social Science Research Council for their support.