Abstract (short):
This paper argues that categories provide a conceptual map for search. I develop a theory of category-based search and test the theory on a unique, minute-by-minute dataset of search logs of 3,442 patent examiners searching for relevant prior art. The data comprises of more than 18,000 query sessions and 0.6 million unique queries. I show that examiners are more likely to use category-based (vs keyword based) search if the focal category is high contrast. I also find that examiners are less likely to use category-based search for boundary-spanning innovations, i.e., innovations that draw on a wide set of knowledge.

Time: Tuesday, May 7th 2019 from 2 pm - 3.30 pm

Location: University of Vienna, Meeting Room 4.313 (4th floor), Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, 1090 Wien (please check for updates on: https://www.wu.ac.at/ifsto/seminar-series/)

If you are interested in attending the presentation, for planning purposes kindly confirm your interest to Karoline Eadie (karoline.eadie@univie.ac.at) until April 26th 2019

The speaker series is hosted jointly by the Institute for Strategy, Technology and Organization (Christopher Lettl) and the Strategic Management Subject Area at the University of Vienna (Markus Reitzig). The series addresses topics at the interface of strategic management, innovation, technology, and organization design. Aim of the series is the facilitation of research dialogue within our department, boundary spanning to other WU departments, and the facilitation of networking with renowned scholars in the field. See http://www.wu.ac.at/ifsto/speaker-series/ for details on future talks (speakers, dates). The series is associated with the RESEARCH PROGRAM ON OPEN INNOVATION of the Institute for Strategy, Technology and Organization.

We are greatly looking forward to seeing you!