Abstract:*

Where do groundbreaking inventions come from? To address this question, we develop a novel theoretical framework rooted in the sociological view that creative processes are shaped by the taken-for granted categorical structure of institutionalized knowledge classification systems. Focusing on an exemplar case of such categorization systems, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent classification scheme, we hypothesize that the lower is the contrast of the category in which a patent is classified, the more likely is the patent to become groundbreaking (i.e., to spur descendent inventions that create new technological paths that break away from the status quo). Analyzing large-scale patent data over a four-decade period, we find robust support for this hypothesis. Additional analyses suggest that low-contrast categories catalyze the creation of groundbreaking ideas through two distinct pathways. During the “idea-creation” stage, they spur more novel, atypical, original, and boundary-spanning descendent inventions. During the “idea-positioning” stage, they allow for greater leeway in highlighting descendent inventions’ uniqueness, generality, and breadth. Finally, corroborating our contention that low-contrast categories catalyze groundbreaking inventions, we show that the patents stemming from low-contrast categories are more likely to carry abnormal economic value and have a longer-lasting technological impact compared to patents classified in high-contrast categories. By illuminating the role of categories in the creation of groundbreaking inventions, this study contributes both theoretical and practical insights.

*Co-authored with B. Kovacs (Yale School of Management)

General information:

Attendance to this seminar is possible by invitation only. Please send an e-mail to secbs-abs@uva.nl if your are interested in attending this seminar.