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Innovation core, innovation semi-periphery and technology transfer: The case of wind energy patents

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  • Nordensvard, Johan
  • Zhou, Yuan
  • Zhang, Xiao

Abstract

Some scholars have pointed to a rise of South-South technological transfer led by emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa while other scholars highlight that emerging economies still need to catch up with developed countries. Drawing on world system's theory, we argue that an adapted innovation framework of 'core - semi-periphery - periphery' could be an important analytical framework that may help us understand the process of innovation catch up. This may help specifically to better understand how an emerging economy can at least in theory have sectors that could be defined as innovation core and source for technology transfer. We will look at wind energy as North American, European, Indian and Chinese firms dominate the market. This study used citation network analysis and patent analysis to analyse knowledge flows between wind firms and to identify and compare the positon and role of each firm in the knowledge network. We argue that there is still, despite catching up, a difference between innovation core countries (US, Germany, Denmark) and innovation semi-periphery (China, India) which will limit the opportunities of knowledge transfer within the sector of wind energy.

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  • Nordensvard, Johan & Zhou, Yuan & Zhang, Xiao, 2018. "Innovation core, innovation semi-periphery and technology transfer: The case of wind energy patents," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 213-227.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:120:y:2018:i:c:p:213-227
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.048
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    5. Zhijun Feng & Hechang Cai & Wen Zhou, 2020. "Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, March.
    6. Zhou, Yuan & Dong, Fang & Kong, Dejing & Liu, Yufei, 2019. "Unfolding the convergence process of scientific knowledge for the early identification of emerging technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 205-220.
    7. Huailan Liu & Zhiwang Chen & Jie Tang & Yuan Zhou & Sheng Liu, 2020. "Mapping the technology evolution path: a novel model for dynamic topic detection and tracking," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(3), pages 2043-2090, December.
    8. Kuan, Chung-Huei & Lin, Jia-Tian & Chen, Dar-Zen, 2021. "Characterizing Patent Assignees by Their Structural Positions Relative to a Field’s Evolutionary Trajectory," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(4).
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    10. Shu-Hao Chang & Chin-Yuan Fan, 2020. "Using Patent Technology Networks to Observe Neurocomputing Technology Hotspots and Development Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-15, September.
    11. Żuk, Piotr & Buzogány, Aron & Mišík, Matúš & Osička, Jan & Szulecki, Kacper, 2023. "Semi-peripheries in the world-system? The Visegrad group countries in the geopolitical order of energy and raw materials after the war in Ukraine," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
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