IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/scient/v100y2014i2d10.1007_s11192-014-1303-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Are significant inventions more diversified?

Author

Listed:
  • Chunjuan Luan

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Haiyan Hou

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Yongtao Wang

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Xianwen Wang

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

Abstract

This study aims at exploring whether significant inventions are more technologically diversified or have more diverse applications, investigating whether there are any innovation laws existing in R&D activities. Based on technology co-classification analysis, we select patent dataset meets the specific standard from the worldwide patent database named Derwent Innovations Index as sample dataset. Three indicators out of four verify the proposed hypotheses, i.e., significant inventions are more diversified in terms of individual invention. The fourth indicator implies that focusing on some core technology domains maybe better for creating significant inventions when R&D activities are considered as a whole. The results are of great theoretical significance by helping us identifying the diversified characteristic laws of significant inventions; moreover, they are of crucial practical meanings to R&D work and technology innovation activities etc.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunjuan Luan & Haiyan Hou & Yongtao Wang & Xianwen Wang, 2014. "Are significant inventions more diversified?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 100(2), pages 459-470, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:100:y:2014:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-014-1303-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-014-1303-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11192-014-1303-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11192-014-1303-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Silverberg, Gerald & Verspagen, Bart, 2007. "The size distribution of innovations revisited: An application of extreme value statistics to citation and value measures of patent significance," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 139(2), pages 318-339, August.
    2. Yu-Shan Chen & Ke-Chiun Chang, 2012. "Using the entropy-based patent measure to explore the influences of related and unrelated technological diversification upon technological competences and firm performance," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 90(3), pages 825-841, March.
    3. Miklós Koren & Silvana Tenreyro, 2013. "Technological Diversification," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(1), pages 378-414, February.
    4. Bart Verspagen, 2007. "Mapping Technological Trajectories As Patent Citation Networks: A Study On The History Of Fuel Cell Research," Advances in Complex Systems (ACS), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(01), pages 93-115.
    5. Jess H. Chua & James J. Chrisman & Lloyd P. Steier & Sabine B. Rau, 2012. "Sources of Heterogeneity in Family Firms: An Introduction," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1103-1113, November.
    6. Garcia-Vega, Maria, 2006. "Does technological diversification promote innovation?: An empirical analysis for European firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 230-246, March.
    7. Patel, Darshak & Ward, Michael R., 2011. "Using patent citation patterns to infer innovation market competition," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 886-894, July.
    8. Anton, James J & Yao, Dennis A, 1995. "Start-ups, Spin-offs, and Internal Projects," The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Oxford University Press, vol. 11(2), pages 362-378, October.
    9. Yu-Shan Chen & Chun-Yu Shih & Ching-Hsun Chang, 2012. "The effects of related and unrelated technological diversification on innovation performance and corporate growth in the Taiwan’s semiconductor industry," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(1), pages 117-134, July.
    10. Castaldi, Carolina & Milakovic, Mishael & Secchi, Angelo, 2006. "Scale and technological factors in the diversification structure of business firms," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 91(1), pages 117-121, April.
    11. Péter Érdi & Kinga Makovi & Zoltán Somogyvári & Katherine Strandburg & Jan Tobochnik & Péter Volf & László Zalányi, 2013. "Prediction of emerging technologies based on analysis of the US patent citation network," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 95(1), pages 225-242, April.
    12. M. Meyer & K. Debackere & W. Glänzel, 2010. "Can applied science be ‘good science’? Exploring the relationship between patent citations and citation impact in nanoscience," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 85(2), pages 527-539, November.
    13. Chen, Dar-Zen & Huang, Mu-Hsuan & Hsieh, Hui-Chen & Lin, Chang-Pin, 2011. "Identifying missing relevant patent citation links by using bibliographic coupling in LED illuminating technology," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 5(3), pages 400-412.
    14. Chunjuan Luan & Zeyuan Liu & Xianwen Wang, 2013. "Divergence and convergence: technology-relatedness evolution in solar energy industry," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 97(2), pages 461-475, November.
    15. Csárdi, Gábor & Strandburg, Katherine J. & Zalányi, László & Tobochnik, Jan & Érdi, Péter, 2007. "Modeling innovation by a kinetic description of the patent citation system," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 374(2), pages 783-793.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jun Hong Park & Sang Ho Kook & Hyeonu Im & Soomin Eum & Chulung Lee, 2018. "Fabless Semiconductor Firms’ Financial Performance Determinant Factors: Product Platform Efficiency and Technological Capability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Andreas Reinstaller & Peter Reschenhofer, 2017. "Using PageRank in the analysis of technological progress through patents: an illustration for biotechnological inventions," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 113(3), pages 1407-1438, December.
    2. Mariani, Manuel Sebastian & Medo, Matúš & Lafond, François, 2019. "Early identification of important patents: Design and validation of citation network metrics," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 644-654.
    3. Sanghoon Lee & Wonjoon Kim, 2017. "The knowledge network dynamics in a mobile ecosystem: a patent citation analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(2), pages 717-742, May.
    4. Tomomi Kito & Nagi Moriya & Junichi Yamanoi, 2021. "Inter-organisational patent opposition network: how companies form adversarial relationships," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 72(1), pages 145-166, January.
    5. Ying Huang & Donghua Zhu & Yue Qian & Yi Zhang & Alan L. Porter & Yuqin Liu & Ying Guo, 2017. "A hybrid method to trace technology evolution pathways: a case study of 3D printing," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 185-204, April.
    6. Roman Jurowetzki, 2015. "Unpacking Big Systems - Natural Language Processing meets Network Analysis. A Study of Smart Grid Development in Denmark," SPRU Working Paper Series 2015-15, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    7. Euiseok Kim & Yongrae Cho & Wonjoon Kim, 2014. "Dynamic patterns of technological convergence in printed electronics technologies: patent citation network," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(2), pages 975-998, February.
    8. Tomomi Kito & Nagi Moriya & Junichi Yamanoi, 2020. "Inter-organisational patent opposition network: How companies form adversarial relationships," Papers 2009.04113, arXiv.org.
    9. Chun, Hyunbae & Ha, Joonkyung & Kim, Jung-Wook, 2014. "Firm heterogeneity, R&D, and economic growth," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 149-156.
    10. Yuandi Wang & Xiongfeng Pan & Yantai Chen & Xin Gu, 2013. "Do references in transferred patent documents signal learning opportunities for the receiving firms?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 95(2), pages 731-752, May.
    11. Wang, Yuandi & Ning, Lutao & Prevezer, Martha, 2015. "Technological diversification in China from 1986 to 2011: Evidence from patent data," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 54-66.
    12. Arianna Martinelli & Önder Nomaler, 2014. "Measuring knowledge persistence: a genetic approach to patent citation networks," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 623-652, July.
    13. Ohsung Kwon, 2020. "A study on how startups approach sustainable development through intellectual property," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 613-625, July.
    14. Jaimovich, Esteban, 2011. "Sectoral differentiation, allocation of talent, and financial development," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 47-60, September.
    15. An, Jaehyeong & Kim, Kyuwoong & Mortara, Letizia & Lee, Sungjoo, 2018. "Deriving technology intelligence from patents: Preposition-based semantic analysis," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 217-236.
    16. Sung-Seok Ko & Namuk Ko & Doyeon Kim & Hyunseok Park & Janghyeok Yoon, 2014. "Analyzing technology impact networks for R&D planning using patents: combined application of network approaches," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 101(1), pages 917-936, October.
    17. Venturini, Francesco, 2012. "Looking into the black box of Schumpeterian growth theories: An empirical assessment of R&D races," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(8), pages 1530-1545.
    18. François Lafond & Daniel Kim, 2019. "Long-run dynamics of the U.S. patent classification system," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 631-664, April.
    19. P. G. J. Persoon & R. N. A. Bekkers & F. Alkemade, 2020. "How cumulative is technological knowledge?," Papers 2012.00095, arXiv.org, revised May 2021.
    20. Huang, Ying & Li, Ruinan & Zou, Fang & Jiang, Lidan & Porter, Alan L. & Zhang, Lin, 2022. "Technology life cycle analysis: From the dynamic perspective of patent citation networks," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:100:y:2014:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-014-1303-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.