A complexity approach to innovation networks. The case of the aircraft industry (1909-1997)

Successful innovation depends on complementary competencies in networks of producers, users, and governmental bodies. The effects of complementarities within innovation networks are modeled using Kauffman's NK-model. From the model, the hypothesis is derived that producers, users, and governments se lf-organize in specialized innovation networks: producers of particular tec hnologies increasingly focus on particular user markets in particular count ries. Data on 863 aircraft models (1909-1997) show these strong specializat ion patterns in the post-war period. Policy implications are indicated emph asizing the recent rise in transnational collaborations, which can be under stood as a means of escaping historical specialization patterns. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.