This paper describes inter-firm partnerships in three major high-tech industries over the
1985-2005 period. We found that the architecture of the respective networks had evolved
toward a ‘small world’ in the early 1990s. We also found that the number of alliances
collapsed in the late 1990s. This result roughly follows the number of patents granted in the
respective industries and is correlated to an increase in market concentration, and to some
extent to the rising number of mergers and acquisitions.
Unité mixte de recherche 7235
