Does movement of inventors between companies affect their productivity?

This paper examines the effect of the movement of inventors on their productivity (measured by the rate of patent production) as well as the effect of knowledge spillovers on the patenting behavior of the inventors. We studied the patenting behavior of a sample of inventors in the US Telecom industry. The study shows two significant patterns: for the mobile inventors, there is a visible declining trend in the average patenting performance compared to those who stayed with the same company. This declining productivity trend is however compensated by an increased knowledge gain.

► The effect of movements of inventors on their productivity is measured by the rate of patent production.
► The effect of knowledge spillovers on patenting behavior of the inventors is assessed.
► Study of the patenting behavior of a sample of inventors in the US Telecom industry is provided.