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Complex Knowledge Networks and Invention Collaboration

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Abstract

Knowledge and innovation flows as characterized by the network of invention collaboration is studied, its scale free power law properties are examined and its importance to understanding technological advancement. This research while traditionally investigated via statistical analysis may be further examined via complex networks. It is demonstrated that the invention collaboration network’s degree distribution may be characterized by a power law, where the probability that an inventor (collaborator) is highly connected is statistically more likely than would be expected via random connections and associations, with the network’s properties determined by a relatively small number of highly connected inventors (collaborators) known as hubs. Potential areas of application are suggested.

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Correspondence to Thomas F. Brantle .

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Brantle, T.F., Fallah, M.H. (2010). Complex Knowledge Networks and Invention Collaboration. In: Minai, A., Braha, D., Bar-Yam, Y. (eds) Unifying Themes in Complex Systems. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85081-6_14

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