Patterns of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation

A case analysis of Polyallylate Fiber

Abstract

This paper investigates the difference in patterns of knowledge transfer between firms in Japan and the U.S. We conduct the two level of case studies of polyallylate fibers: firm-level and individual-level. We found that the Japanese firm made a success in its commercialization while the U.S. firms could not, which is consistent with the Florida & Kenney’s argument. We also found from the individual-level analysis, however, that the U.S. inventors transferred the basic knowledge of fibers to different organizations and then accomplished the commercial success from explorative application, which would not be achieved if they remained within the firm.