Co-evolution of invention activities among cities in New England

This article examines how patent activities in metropolitan areas change using New England as a backdrop. Using U.S. patent data from 1975 to 1999, this article uncovers several patterns. First, some patent-lagging cities catch up with patent-leading cities. Second, one contributory factor for catch up is knowledge diffusion. Third, shakeouts in patent specialisations in leading cities are less dramatic compared to those in lagging cities. Fourth, invention activities among cities co-evolve. The co-evolution of invention activities among cities provides an incentive for city and/or state governments to coordinate policies that may affect knowledge creation in their jurisdictions.