The Changing Nature of Corporate R&D: Taking Stock in Recent Progresses in Research

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners alike have noted the changing landscape of research and development (R&D) in firms over the last several decades, but little consensus has been built around how and why the nature of corporate R&D has changed over time. The three paper presentations in this symposium advance this exciting research agenda by putting forth several explanations of how and why the rate and direction of firm innovation have shifted over time. Through these studies, diverse groups of scholars leverage unique theoretical lenses, novel data sources and methodological advancements to identify important trends in the internal and external environment of a firm and how these trends shape the processes and outcomes of R&D activities. Collectively, we demonstrate that the temporal shifts in the nature of firm R&D are associated with fundamental changes in the flows of capital, knowledge, and talent over time. This symposium will conclude with research commentary by an expert in this area and interactive discussions between audiences and presenters. Missing the Forest for the Tree: Short-termism & Technological Influence of US Firms Presenter: Rafael Corredoira; The Ohio State U. Fisher College of Business Presenter: Brent Goldfarb; U. of Maryland Presenter: Rachelle Sampson; U. of Maryland Presenter: Yuan Shi; Cornell SC Johnson College of Business First Mover Advantage and the Private Value of Public Science Presenter: Ashish Arora; Duke U. Presenter: Sharon Belenzon; Duke U. Presenter: Bernardo Dionisi; Duke U. The Impact of High-skilled Migrant inward Mobility on Firm-level Innovation Performance Presenter: Keld Laursen; Copenhagen Business School Presenter: Bart Leten; KU Leuven Presenter: Ngoc Han Nguyen; Hasselt U. Presenter: Mark Vancauteren; Hasselt U.