Technological breakthrough and deviant behabior of inventors in the established firm

Abstract

This study investigates the factor that promotes technological breakthrough by the established firm, focusing on the individual behavior of inventors. Especially, I hypothesize the effect of “deviant behavior” of inventors on the radicalness of technologies invented by those inventors. Using patent data of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, I show the effect of deviant behavior depends on the reference point of the newness of technologies. This study highlights the role of deviant inventors as a source of technological exploration for the focal firm, not technological breakthrough which has high impact to other firms.