'New Combinations' in Schumpeter's Economics: The Lineage of a Concept. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harper, David A.
• Is Part Of: History of economics review. Volume 75:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Schumpeter -- innovation -- entrepreneurship -- new combinations; Economics -- History -- Periodicals; Economics; Economische filosofie; Dogmengeschichte; Electronic journals; History; Periodicals; 330.09
• DOI: 10.1080/10370196.2020.1743491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1037-0196

Abstract

Abstract: The notion of a new combination has long been a leitmotiv in theories of economic evolution and innovation. This article examines the origin of the term 'new combination' in Schumpeter's work. After examining the diverse uses to which Schumpeter put the combinatorial concept, this article examines possible intellectual antecedents to Schumpeter's use of the idea. Although he is often credited as being the originator of the concept, Schumpeter himself cited Jean-Baptiste Say as a precursor, while other scholars have identified Marx as an inspirational source for Schumpeter's ideas on the combinatorics of innovation.