Trajectory integration and the impact of inventions
研究了发明人如何整合同一轨迹上的多个发明，发现域内轨迹整合提升本领域影响力但降低跨领域影响力，域外轨迹整合则相反，对核能专利分析有参考价值。
• Examines trajectory integration: recombining multiple inventions within a shared pre-existing trajectory. • Inner-domain trajectory integration is associated with higher impact within the focal domain but lower impact outside it. • Outer-domain trajectory integration is associated with higher impact outside the focal domain. • Emphasizes relevance of shifting from a static to a dynamic trajectory-based perspective in domain search strategies. This study introduces the concept of trajectory integration in recombinant search, where inventors recombine multiple inventions from a shared pre-existing trajectory. As inventions within a trajectory build upon their predecessors, we theorize that inventors can learn from these interconnections to develop more effective approaches to new problems. We argue that the benefits of trajectory integration depend on whether inventions in the trajectory belong to the focal domain (inner-domain trajectory integration) or lie outside it (outer-domain trajectory integration). Analyzing 19,266 nuclear energy patent families, we find that inner-domain trajectory integration is linked to higher impact within the focal domain but lower impact outside it. Conversely, outer-domain trajectory integration is associated with impact beyond the focal domain but shows no link to impact within it. We contribute to recombinant search literature by highlighting the relevance of considering the historical context of inventions and their trajectories to better understand their value.