What constitutes a “Key Enabling Technology” for transition processes: Insights from the bioeconomy's technological landscape

In policy strategies, Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are described as knowledge intensive and multidisciplinary technologies driving profound transformations for modernization of industries. However, within scientific literature the concept of KETs is rather unexplored and prevalent case studies lack any clear definition of KETs. The question therefore arises as to whether KETs are needed as a new concept and how they differ to other technology types. Therefore, in this study we apply and extend existing patent indicators targeting the identification of promising technologies for transition processes from an ex-ante as well as ex-post perspective. By relying on hierarchical clustering on principal components of patent data complemented by an expert-based survey, we delineate KETs from emerging technologies and General Purpose Technologies (GPTs). On the example of the transition towards a bio-based economy, our results highlight that KETs combine broad knowledge revealing complementarity within a specific field of transition, while emerging technologies are less knowledge intensive and GPTs accelerate further innovation. Hence, we provide guidance to managers and policymakers in developing, identifying, and promoting promising technologies as engines of transition processes and economic growth. We, thus, support designing funding schemes and directing research endeavors for development and application of KETs.