Seminar – The Decline of Science in Corporate R&D

Dr Andrea Patacconi, Norwich Business School

In this paper, Andrea will discuss document a shift away from science by large corporations between 1980 and 2006. Findings show that publications by company scientists have declined over time in a range of industries. Also, that the value attributable to scientific research has dropped, whereas the value attributable to technical knowledge (as measured by patents) has remained stable. These trends are unlikely to be driven exclusively by changes in publication practices. Further science continues to be useful as an input into innovation. The evidence points to a reduction of the private benefits of internal research. Large firms still value the golden eggs of science (as reflected in patents) but seem to be increasingly unwilling to invest in the golden goose itself (the scientific capabilities).

Speaker bio

Andrea Patacconi is Senior Lecturer in Strategy Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia. From 2009 to 2013, he held a position as Sixth Century Lecturer in Economics and Management at the University of Aberdeen Business School. Before that, he was a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford. Andrea has a BA in Economics from the University of Bologna (summa cum laude) and a PhD in Economics from the University of Oxford.

Andrea’s research interests focus on organisation design, interfirm collaboration (particularly corporate groups and strategic alliances), business ecosystems, and corporate science. His work has appeared in Strategic Management Journal, Research Policy, RAND Journal of Economics and Journal of Public Economics. His recent research has been discussed in the media such as, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Fortune Magazine, and policy circles including, the US Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the UK Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.

Andrea’s research has been funded by the Fell Fund, the Technology Strategy Board and the British Academy. He teaches at both the undergraduate and postgraduate (MBA and MSc) level. Andrea enjoys working with organisations such as HP Labs and has started a small family business with his brother. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and football.