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Evolutionary paths of change of emerging nanotechnological innovation systems: the case of ZnO nanostructures

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  • Alfonso Ávila-Robinson

    (Tokyo Institute of Technology)

  • Kumiko Miyazaki

    (Tokyo Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This paper puts forward a quantitative approach aimed at the understanding of the evolutionary paths of change of emerging nanotechnological innovation systems. The empirical case of the newly emerging zinc oxide one-dimensional nanostructures is used. In line with other authors, ‘problems’ are visualized as those aspects guiding the dynamics of innovation systems. It is argued that the types of problems confronted by an innovation system, and in turn its dynamics of change, are imprinted on the nature of the underlying knowledge bases. The latter is operationalized through the construction of co-citation networks from scientific publications. We endow these co-citation networks with directionality through the allocation of a particular problem, drawn from a ‘problem space’ for nanomaterials, to each network node. By analyzing the longitudinal, structural and cognitive changes undergone by these problem-attached networks, we attempt to infer the nature of the paths of change of emerging nanotechnological innovation systems. Overall, our results stress the evolutionary mechanisms underlying change in a specific N&N subfield. It is observed that the latter may exert significant influence on the innovative potentials of nanomaterials.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso Ávila-Robinson & Kumiko Miyazaki, 2013. "Evolutionary paths of change of emerging nanotechnological innovation systems: the case of ZnO nanostructures," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 95(3), pages 829-849, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:95:y:2013:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-012-0939-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-012-0939-7
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    Cited by:

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    2. repec:sek:jijobm:v:3:y:2015:i:4:p:77-102 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Radka MacGregor Pelikanova & Robert K. MacGregor, 2015. "Internet governance and its legitimacy - from rethoric to facts and even beyond," International Journal of Business and Management, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 3(4), pages 77-103, November.
    4. Thara Prabhakaran & Hiran H. Lathabai & Susan George, 2019. "Competing, complementary and co-existing paradigms in techno-scientific literature: A case study of Nanotechnology for engineering," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 118(3), pages 941-977, March.
    5. Rotolo, Daniele & Hicks, Diana & Martin, Ben R., 2015. "What is an emerging technology?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(10), pages 1827-1843.
    6. T. Gorjiara & C. Baldock, 2014. "Nanoscience and nanotechnology research publications: a comparison between Australia and the rest of the world," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 100(1), pages 121-148, July.
    7. Moehrle, Martin G. & Caferoglu, Hüseyin, 2019. "Technological speciation as a source for emerging technologies. Using semantic patent analysis for the case of camera technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 776-784.
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