We analyze the spatial diffusion of laser-technology in Germany during the early phase of development, between 1960 and …

. In this process, the poorly functioning socialist system of East Germany adopted the formal institutions and organization … of West Germany, a western-style market economy. We investigate the effect of this integration on patenting activity by …, the gap between East and West Germany widened considerably over time. This divergence in innovation activity suggests that …

We analyze the spatial diffusion of knowledge in laser technology in West Germany from 1960, when this technology began …