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Up, Up, And Away: The Dynamics Of Innovation In The Us Air Cargo Transportation Industry, Janet K. Tinoco, Ryan Johnson

Janet K. Tinoco

In 1978 the United States (US) Congress passed the Airline Deregulation Act, allowing all-cargo airlines to compete in an industry that was heretofore highly regulated and stagnant. As companies came and went, successful carriers realized that innovation was necessary to survive. This study analyzes the dynamics of innovation over the industry’s life cycle using intellectual property (IP) data. Results indicate that despite having the characteristics of a commodity, the industry follows a reverse life cycle. Furthermore, FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) hold the highest levels of innovation while dominating the market, signifying that innovation should be integrated into the …