Author:

Keywords:

delphi, Social Sciences, Business, Regional & Urban Planning, Business & Economics, Public Administration, DELPHI, 10 Technology, 14 Economics, 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, Science Studies, 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services, 38 Economics

Abstract:

This study uses the scientific and patent literature as a source of data to analyze the relationship between author/inventor contribution spans and the rate of technological progress in two chemical fields. Using survival analysis statistics, the authors examine the probability that an individual will contribute to the field for a specified length of time and the probability that an individual, having contributed to the field for a specified period of time, will cease to contribute in the future. The authors also test the significance of several covariates in predicting the length of contribution spans.