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Navigating the innovation trajectories of technology by combining specialization score analyses for publications and patents: graphene and nano-enabled drug delivery

Author

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  • Seokbeom Kwon

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Alan Porter

    (Georgia Institute of Technology
    Search Technology, Inc.)

  • Jan Youtie

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Abstract

In this study, we combine the specialization scores for publications and patents (the latter is a new indicator of cross-disciplinary engagement) to achieve more comprehensive navigation of the innovation trajectory of a technology. The patent specialization score draws upon counterpart research publication indicator concepts to measure patent diversity. Two nano-based technologies—Nano-enabled drug delivery (NEDD) and Graphene—provide contrasting explorations of the behavior of this indicator, alongside research publication indicators. Results show distinctive patterns of the two technologies and for the respective publication and patent indicators. NEDD research, as evidenced by publication and citation patterns, engages highly diverse research fields. In contrast, NEDD development, as reflected in patent International Patent Classifications (IPCs), concentrates on relatively closely associated fields. Graphene presents the opposite picture, with closely linked disciplines contributing to research, but much more diverse fields of application for its patents. We suggest that analyzing the field diversity of research publications and patents together, employing both specialization scores, can offer fruitful insights into innovation trajectories. Such information can contribute to technology and innovation management and policy for such emerging technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Seokbeom Kwon & Alan Porter & Jan Youtie, 2016. "Navigating the innovation trajectories of technology by combining specialization score analyses for publications and patents: graphene and nano-enabled drug delivery," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 106(3), pages 1057-1071, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:106:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-015-1826-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-015-1826-9
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    2. repec:plo:pone00:0185583 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Yutao Sun & Ying Zhang & Xiaofei Zhang, 2023. "Reconfiguring star inventors with commercialization: a case of the graphene sector," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(10), pages 5411-5440, October.
    4. Junwei Ma & Jianhua Wang & Philip Szmedra, 2019. "Sustainable Competitive Position of Mobile Communication Companies: Comprehensive Perspectives of Insiders and Outsiders," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Kwon, Seokbeom & Liu, Xiaoyu & Porter, Alan L. & Youtie, Jan, 2019. "Research addressing emerging technological ideas has greater scientific impact," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    6. Xu, Haiyun & Yue, Zenghui & Pang, Hongshen & Elahi, Ehsan & Li, Jing & Wang, Lu, 2022. "Integrative model for discovering linked topics in science and technology," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 16(2).
    7. Ba, Zhichao & Meng, Kai & Ma, Yaxue & Xia, Yikun, 2024. "Discovering technological opportunities by identifying dynamic structure-coupling patterns and lead-lag distance between science and technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    8. Xi Yang & Xiang Yu & Xin Liu, 2018. "Obtaining a Sustainable Competitive Advantage from Patent Information: A Patent Analysis of the Graphene Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-25, December.
    9. Block, Carolin & Wustmans, Michael & Laibach, Natalie & Bröring, Stefanie, 2021. "Semantic bridging of patents and scientific publications – The case of an emerging sustainability-oriented technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    10. Mun, Changbae & Yoon, Sejun & Raghavan, Nagarajan & Hwang, Dongwook & Basnet, Subarna & Park, Hyunseok, 2021. "Function score-based technological trend analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    11. Jong-Hyun Kim & Yong-Gil Lee, 2024. "Investigating Technological Advancement Strategies for the Innovation Impact of Alternative Energy Patents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    12. Qiang Gao & Man Jiang, 2024. "Exploring technology fusion by combining latent Dirichlet allocation with Doc2vec: a case of digital medicine and machine learning," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(7), pages 4043-4070, July.

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