Richard R Nelson (1930–2025): Evolutionary economist and innovation scholar

2025/03/04 by Ben R. Martin, W. Edward Steinmueller · 1 voice
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Economic Growth and Productivity #Firm Innovation and Growth #Economic and Technological Innovation

paper · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2025.105211

openalex publication_date 2025/03/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

This article attempts to set out systematically Richard Nelson's contributions to the economics of innovation and to the emerging field of innovation studies. While focusing mainly on his fundamental research contributions, it also examines his impact on policy as well as his work supervising students and mentoring young researchers. In addition, it highlights his role at the centre of an expanding international network of scholars working to build the field of innovation studies over the last 60 years, and helping to imbue it with a set of values emphasizing openness, collaboration and intellectual generosity.

Citations

• The growth of patenting and licensing by U.S. universities: an assessment of the effects of the Bayh–Dole act of 1980
• Technical Change and the Aggregate Production Function
• Links and Impacts: The Influence of Public Research on Industrial R&D
• Appropriating the Returns from Industrial Research and Development
• Endogenous Technological Change
• Increasing Returns and Long-Run Growth

Discussions

• Saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Nelson, a great person and great scholar. We are all in his debt. doi.org/10.1016/j.re... [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]