Key inventors: implications for human resource management in R&D

This paper presents the results from an empirical study that analyzes the distribution of patenting output of inventors working in the chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering industry in 43 German companies. The findings of this study suggest that the technological performance of inventors defined by the number and quality of filed patents is highly concentrated. In particular, a very small group of key inventors is responsible for the major part of the company´s technological performance and, thus, for the company´s competitiveness. This knowledge, in turn, results in major consequences for the human resource management in R&D