Invention, Innovation and U.S. Federal Laboratories

Albert N. Link, Virginia Batte Phillips Distinguished Professor of Economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, US

This book is about inventions and innovation in U.S. Federal Laboratories. The inventions discussed are defined by the technology transfer mechanism known by the term invention disclosures and are innovations that are the output of the technology transfer process. The demonstrated positive relationships in the book's model are the groundwork for suggesting not only a rethinking of the extant empirical research, within the context of a knowledge production function but also a refocusing of U.S. technology policy in support of technology transfer from Federal Laboratories.

‘This book puts together many pieces of the technology development life cycle puzzle, providing a great array of perspectives, insights and empirical evidence. A powerful tool for any researcher or practitioner in technology policy as it uncovers, chapter by chapter, the dynamics and the central role played by inventive ideas.’
– Sara Amoroso, Economist at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre-Seville, Spain

‘This pathbreaking book identifies the sleeping giant of American innovative prowess – The U.S. Federal Laboratories. By subjecting the role of the Federal Laboratories to the lens of his systematic and pervasive analytical framework, Al Link uncovers this surprising hidden champion of American innovation. This thoughtful and lucid book provides a masterful new and fresh look at the role of the U.S. Federal Laboratories in driving innovation in the United States. It is a must read for all scholars, researchers and thought leaders in business and policy who need to understand how and why innovation works.’
– David Audretsch, Indiana University, US