Responding to technological maturity: A socio-cognitive model of science and innovation in technological communities

The purpose of this study is to test the argument that a technological community responds to technological maturity by increasing its use of science in innovation. This prediction is tested via panel data analysis of 32 technology communities drawn from US manufacturing industries during 1985–1997. Results support a positive association between a community's technological maturity and its use of science in innovation three to five years later. Post-hoc analyses forecast when 23 US communities may become dominated by science-based innovation.