Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/122188 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 15-080
Publisher: 
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim
Abstract: 
Based on an established theoretical framework of the drivers of inventive performance, the so-called KSAO (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other) factors, this paper seeks to explain empirically the performance of inventors throughout their careers. We combine survey information spanning the inventors' entire careers and psychometric test evidence, with patent history data for more than 1,000 inventors. We also control for variables that have traditionally been included in estimations of inventive performance such as inventor age and a broad list of applicant institution-, technology-, patent-, and period-related information. We show that educational level, skills acquired during the career, personality traits, career motivations, cognitive abilities, and cognitive problem-solving style are significantly related to inventive performance.
Subjects: 
inventive performance
individual drivers
patent history
survey
JEL: 
J24
M54
O31
O32
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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