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Will patents with more interdisciplinary scientific knowledge have higher technological impact? Empirical evidence from USPTO patents

Author

Listed:
  • Yuan Xu

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

  • Xi Chen

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

  • Jin Mao

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

  • Gang Li

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

Abstract

Understanding the impact of interdisciplinary scientific knowledge on technological innovation is crucial for fostering the transformation of scientific outcomes into technological achievements and the early identification of key patents. While previous studies have primarily measured the interdisciplinarity of scientific papers, this study focuses on patents, addressing the relatively unexplored relationship between interdisciplinary knowledge and technological impact, including long-term effects reflected in indirect patent citations. Using approximately 300 million patents in the USPTO from 2002 to 2009, this study examines the variety, balance, and disparity of disciplines of patent-cited papers as measurements of interdisciplinary scientific knowledge integrated in patents. Technological impact is measured by direct and indirect citations. Negative binomial regression analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and the technological impact of patents. Specifically, higher disciplinary variety, balance, and disparity are associated with greater long-term impacts (indirect citations) compared to short-term impacts (direct citations). These findings contribute to the understanding of how interdisciplinary scientific knowledge influences the technological impact of patents, providing valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance the transformation of scientific outcomes into technological achievements and identify high-value patents early.

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  • Yuan Xu & Xi Chen & Jin Mao & Gang Li, 2025. "Will patents with more interdisciplinary scientific knowledge have higher technological impact? Empirical evidence from USPTO patents," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(4), pages 2037-2068, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:130:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s11192-025-05280-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05280-8
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