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A keyword selection method for mapping technological knowledge in specific sectors through patent data:the case of biofuels sector

Author

Listed:
  • Valeria Costantini

    (Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, Roma (Italy).)

  • Francesco Crespi

    (Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, Roma (Italy).)

  • Ylenia Curci

    (Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, Roma (Italy).)

Abstract

In this paper we propose an innovative methodology that aims to solve drawbacks related to how patent data are allocated and organized in international databases. We propose as a case study the biofuels sector, in order to evaluate the validity of such a method. Starting with a systematic mapping of biofuels production value chain, we have built a comprehensive description of the biofuels technological domain. The resulting list of keywords relies on an iterative selection approach, based on an analysis of recent scientific literature combined with the keyword search tool developed by Scopus. The final patent database, BioPat, has been finalized by a validation procedure with the help of expert interviews, revealing improved accuracy compared with standard IPC-based codes. Collected information in BioPat allows us to derive more intriguing insights on the characteristics and evolution of technological patterns in the biofuels sector with respect to standard classification methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Costantini & Francesco Crespi & Ylenia Curci, 2014. "A keyword selection method for mapping technological knowledge in specific sectors through patent data:the case of biofuels sector," SEEDS Working Papers 1714, SEEDS, Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies, revised Jun 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:srt:wpaper:1714
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Popp & Francesco Vona & Myriam Grégoire-Zawilski & Giovanni Marin, 2024. "The Next Wave of Energy Innovation: Which Technologies? Which Skills?," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(1), pages 45-65.
    2. David Popp, 2019. "Environmental policy and innovation: a decade of research," CESifo Working Paper Series 7544, CESifo.
    3. Martin Kalthaus, 2017. "Identifying technological sub-trajectories in photovoltaic patents," Jena Economics Research Papers 2017-010, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    4. Costantini, Valeria & Crespi, Francesco & Martini, Chiara & Pennacchio, Luca, 2015. "Demand-pull and technology-push public support for eco-innovation: The case of the biofuels sector," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 577-595.
    5. Arnold, Michelle & Tainter, Joseph A. & Strumsky, Deborah, 2019. "Productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 54-62.
    6. David Popp, 2019. "Environmental Policy and Innovation: A Decade of Research," NBER Working Papers 25631, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Stephan, Annegret & Schmidt, Tobias S. & Bening, Catharina R. & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2017. "The sectoral configuration of technological innovation systems: Patterns of knowledge development and diffusion in the lithium-ion battery technology in Japan," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 709-723.
    8. Stephan, Annegret & Bening, Catharina R. & Schmidt, Tobias S. & Schwarz, Marius & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2019. "The role of inter-sectoral knowledge spillovers in technological innovations: The case of lithium-ion batteries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    9. Bruns, Stephan B. & Kalthaus, Martin, 2020. "Flexibility in the selection of patent counts: Implications for p-hacking and evidence-based policymaking," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    10. Palage, Kristoffer & Lundmark, Robert & Söderholm, Patrik, 2019. "The impact of pilot and demonstration plants on innovation: The case of advanced biofuel patenting in the European Union," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 42-55.
    11. David Popp, 2020. "Promoting Clean Energy Innovation," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 17(04), pages 30-35, January.
    12. Kessler, Jeff & Sperling, Daniel, 2016. "Tracking U.S. biofuel innovation through patents," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 97-107.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    patents classification; keyword selection; innovation patterns; liquid biofuels; knowledge complexity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources

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