Persistence in Innovation: Definitions and Current Development of the Field -- Determinants of Persistence in Innovation: A Study of French Patenting -- Factors of Entry and Persistence In Innovation: A Competence Based Approach -- Characteristics of Persistent Inventors as Revealed in Patent Data -- Comparing Innovative Persistence Across Countries: A Cox-Model of Patenting in the UK and France -- Persistent Adoption of Time-Saving Process Innovations -- Towards an Evolutionary Theory of Persistence in Innovation -- Principal Findings, Policy Implications and Research Agenda.

The Economics of Persistent Innovation presents papers that provide definitions of persistence in firm innovative behavior, establish the significance of persistence, present a theory of persistence, and examine empirical evidence regarding both the extent of, and the determinants of, persistence. They survey previous studies which have commented on persistence and present new data describing trends in the persistence in innovation. The book discusses the main determinants of persistence and the reasons for its systematic heterogeneity across industries, technologies and countries. The book first focuses on the determinants of persistence in innovation. This topic is analyzed in several ways, including a Markovian model of innovation. The characteristics of persistent inventors as revealed in patent data are explored for many industrial countries. An evolutionary theory of persistence in innovation is proposed. In conclusion we draw some policy implications for support and development of innovation.