Opening Up Military Innovation: Causal Effects of Reforms to US Defense Research

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Howell, Sabrina T.; Rathje, Jason; Van Reenen, John; Wong, Jun
• 署名单位: New York University; University of London; London School Economics & Political Science; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); National Bureau of Economic Research; University of Chicago
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-3808
• DOI: 10.1086/737235
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: research-and-development; financing innovation; GOVERNMENT; selection; panel; PRODUCTIVITY; EFFICIENCY; contests; IMPACT; POLICY

摘要

For governments procuring innovation, one choice is whether to specify desired products (a conventional approach) or allow firms to suggest ideas (an open approach). Using a US Air Force R&D grant program where open and conventional competitions were held simultaneously, we find that open awards increase both commercial innovation and technology adoption by the military. In contrast, conventional awards have no positive effects on new technology but do create more program lock-in. We present evidence that openness matters over and above inducing differential selection, for example, of less well-established firms. These results suggest benefits from open approaches to innovation procurement.