Regional co-evolution of firm population, innovation and public research? Evidence from the West German laser industry

We trace the co-evolution of regional firm population sizes, private-sector patenting and public research in German laser research and manufacturing for over 40 years from the emergence of the industry to the mid-2000s. Qualitative as well as quantitative evidence suggests a co-evolutionary process of mutual interdependence rather than a unidirectional effect of public research on private-sector activities.