Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
2-2025
Abstract
This paper provides an empirical investigation of factors that drive deference in an invention team setting. Drawing on innovation literature, we hypothesise and test the distinct factors that determine the extent of deference an inventor receives in an invention team. Using patent data from U.S. semiconductor industry, we show that star inventors command deference among their peers and that this effect is moderated by stars’ embeddedness in knowledge, social and geographical context. Deference is amplified when stars have complex knowledge, but not necessarily when they have strong ties. When the stars are geographically distant from their peers, the amount of deference that they receive is lower. We also show that seniority and stardom can acts substitutes rather than compliments when it comes to deference. We discuss the implications of our study for the design and management of invention teams.
Keywords
star inventors, deference, patents, innovation
Discipline
Strategic Management Policy | Technology and Innovation
Research Areas
Strategy and Organisation
Publication
Industry & Innovation
Volume
32
Issue
8
First Page
915
Last Page
945
ISSN
1366-2716
Identifier
10.1080/13662716.2025.2451400
Citation
VURAL, Metin Onal and Simon J.D. SCHILLEBEECKX.
Star inventors, knowledge complexity and collaborative ties: What drives deference in invention teams?. (2025). Industry & Innovation. 32, (8), 915-945.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/7776
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/13662716.2025.2451400