One explanation for declining R&D productivity is demise of industrial research labs. We test that explanation using data from U.S. industrial lab directories from 1921 to 1998. We find the number, size and prevalence of labs have all increased rather than declined. Accordingly, we consider the...

A major trend over the past few decades is open innovation. Interestingly this trend coincides with a substantial decline in R&D productivity. This paper examines whether these trends are related. Looking at one form of open innovation (R&D outsourcing), I find it increased by a factor of six...