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Greentech homophily and path dependence in a large patent citation network

Author

Listed:
  • Nomaler, Onder

    (UNU-MERIT)

  • Verspagen, Bart

    (UNU-MERIT, and SBE, Maastricht University)

Abstract

We propose a method to identify the main technological trends in a very large (i.e., universal) patent citation network comprising all patented technologies. Our method builds on existing literature that implements a similar procedure, but for much smaller networks, each covering a truncated sub-network comprising only the patents of a selected technology field. The increase of the scale of the network that we analyse allows us to analyse so-called macro fields of technology (distinct technology fields related by a coherent overall goal), such as environmentally friendly technologies (Greentech). Our method extracts a so-called network of main paths (NMP). We analyse the NMP in terms of the distribution of Greentech in this network. For this purpose, we construct a number of theoretical benchmark models of trajectory formation. In these models, the ideas of homophily (Green patents citing Green patents) and path dependency (the impact of upstream Green patents in the network) play a large role. We show that a model taking into account both homophily and path dependence predicts well the number of Green patents on technological trajectories, and the number of clusters of Green patents on technological trajectories.

Suggested Citation

  • Nomaler, Onder & Verspagen, Bart, 2019. "Greentech homophily and path dependence in a large patent citation network," MERIT Working Papers 2019-051, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2019051
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nomaler, Onder & Verspagen, Bart, 2016. "River deep, mountain high: Of long-run knowledge trajectories within and between innovation clusters," MERIT Working Papers 2016-048, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
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    Cited by:

    1. Nomaler, Önder & Verspagen, Bart, 2021. "Patent landscaping using 'green' technological trajectories," MERIT Working Papers 2021-005, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Alessandri, Enrico, 2023. "Identifying technological trajectories in the mining sector using patent citation networks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    patent citations; citation networks; main path; technological change; green technology; climate change mitigation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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