A Study of Identifying Trends in Projector using F-Term Codes from Japanese Patent Applications

It is important for companies to understand technological trends when developing technologies and products. Based on Utterback and Abernathy's theory of the emergence of dominant design, we investigate a method of obtaining technological trends using patent information. In a previous study, we visualised the innovation state and obtained the emergence of dominant designs using FI and theme codes, which are original patent classification codes of Japanese patents, as well as F-terms. However, there has not been sufficient research conducted on how to obtain patent applications and how to select FIs, theme codes, and F-terms, which are the preconditions for the analysis. In this study, we discuss a procedure for obtaining patent applications, selecting FIs, theme codes and F-terms, visualising the innovation state, and predicting the emergence of dominant designs, and report the results

Unbundling dynamic capabilities for inter-organizational collaboration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two distinct subsets of dynamic capabilities that need to be deployed when pursuing innovation through inter-organizational activities, respectively, in the contexts of broad networks and specific alliances. The authors draw distinctions and explore potential interdependencies between these two dynamic capability reservoirs, by integrating concepts from the theoretical perspectives they are derived from, but which have until now largely ignored each other – the social network perspective and the dynamic capabilities view. Design/methodology/approach The authors investigate nanotechnology-driven R&D activities in the 1995–2005 period for 76 publicly traded firms in the electronics and electrical equipment industry and in the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry, that applied for 580 nanotechnology-related patents and engaged in 2,459 alliances during the observation period. The authors used zero-truncated Poisson regression as the estimation method. Findings The findings support conceptualizing dynamic capabilities as four distinct subsets, deployed for sensing or seizing purposes, and across the two different inter-organizational contexts. The findings also suggest potential synergies between these subsets of dynamic capabilities, with two subsets being more macro-oriented (i.e. sensing and seizing opportunities within networks) and the two other ones more micro-oriented (i.e. sensing and seizing opportunities within specific alliances). Practical implications The authors show that firms differ in their subsets of dynamic capabilities for pursuing different types of inter-organizational, boundary-spanning relationships (such as alliances vs broader network relationships), which ultimately affects their innovation performance. Originality/value The authors contribute to the growing body of work on dynamic capabilities and firm-specific advantages by unbundling the dynamic capability subsets, and investigating their complex interdependencies for managing different types of inter-organizational linkages. The main new insight is that the “linear model” of generating more innovations through higher inter-firm collaboration in an emerging field paints an erroneous picture of how high innovation performance is actually achieved

Information Technology in The Learning Economy -Challenges for Developing Countries

This paper inquires how the concept of the "learning economy" can be applied to the requirements of developing countries. The main purpose is to develop an analytical framework to better understand how learning and capability formation can foster industrial upgrading. Special emphasis is given to te spread of information technology (IT). We inquire under what conditions developing countries can use this set of generic technologies to improve their learning capabilities. We argue that information technology should not be regarded as a potential substitute for human skills and tacit knowledge. Instead, its main role should be to support the formation and use of tacit knowledge. In the paper we compare two stylised models of the learning economy, the Japanese versus the American model. The Japanese model is explicit in its promotion and exploitation of tacit knowledge, while the American model is driven by a permanent urge to reduce the importance of tacit knowledge and to transform it into information - that is into explicit, 4 well structured and codified knowledge. We show that each of these models has peculiar strengths and weaknesses. Developing countries need to develop their own hybrid forms of institutions that combine the advantages of both models in a way that is appropriate to their idiosyncratic needs and capabilities.information technology; learning; learning economy; knowledge; capabilities; networks; developing countries; economic development; industrial upgrading

Exploring Characteristics of Patent-Paper Citations and Development of New Indicators

In this study, the characteristics of “papers cited in patents” are examined and impact indicators of them based on existing bibliometric indicators are developed. First, the nature of patent-paper citations is examined for Japanese scientific papers as the basic knowledge for developing indicators. Second, the patent-paper citation index (PPCI) indicator, which was proposed in the previous study, is revised. Third, a set of indicators, named High Feature Valued Patent-Paper Citation Index, which is based on three feature values of citing patents, is proposed. Evidence using our new indicators is presented and the tendency of patent-paper citations of Japanese three sectors such as university, public institute, and corporation is discussed. Finally, issues to be addressed are discussed

Knowledge diffusion and innovation policies within the European regions: Challenges based on recent empirical evidence

This article builds upon empirical results concerning localised knowledge spillovers to highlight some policy implications within European regions. The analysis emphasises the role of regional innovation policies in supporting the institutions that generate knowledge and learning. However, the variety of regional features presented in the empirical literature suggests that the search for universal policy tools is unrealistic. From this perspective, we argue that original strategies must be generated to cope with the various dilemmas faced by regional innovation policies. Such specific strategies require accurate knowledge of local features. Improving data and indicators to diagnose and monitor regional innovation is therefore presented as a key issue for policy makersinnovation policy ; localised knowledge flows ; European regions ; knowledge-based economy

Studies of Clusters as a Basis for Industrial and Technology Policy in the Danish Economy

The main focus of the paper is on the recent development of clusters defined as “resource areas”. The concept has been a cornerstone in the technology and industrial policies laid out from the Danish Ministry of Business and Industry, since 1993. Earlier studies (industrial complexes) identified clusters using transactions, often in an input-output framework, while the present clusters are to a larger degree based upon a demand perspective. The paper firstly describes and assess the earlier industrial complex studies, and other related case studies of clusters of particular positions of strength in the Danish economy. The industrial complexes and micro-founded studies of Danish clusters, have all been either a direct input, or a reference point when developing the resource areas. However, the most direct influence have been the Danish Porter studies. Denmark participated as one of ten countries in M. E. Porter’s analysis of clusters of competitive advantages. Accordingly, the Danish Porter studies are summarised. In continuation hereof, the development of the methodology applied for developing the resource areas, is discussed in a historical perspective. Furthermore, different techniques for identifying industrial clusters are considered, including input-output approaches. Finally, the paper warns that theoretically based studies and practical policy actions do not always combine easily. Striking a balance between allowing for pragmatic policy making (with more than a single aim) on the one side, while not losing the theoretical foundation on the other, is an important task.Cluster based policies; industrial complexes; resource areas, innovative clusters

The geography of innovation : challenge to technology policy within regions

The "Geography of Innovation" is based on the desire to give empirical foundations to the explanations behind the pronounced spatial polarisation of the innovation activities. It focuses on an attempt to measure the spatial dimension of knowledge externalities, in order to reveal their role in the organisation of research systems. The aim of this paper is to survey this empirical literature in order to highlight the main results interesting for the innovation policy. This analysis emphasises one main role of technology policy : supporting the institutions which generate knowledge and learning. These are found at various territorial levels, especially within the European Union. Here attention is drawn to the regional intervention level.technology policy, geography of innovation, knowledge externalities, European regions, knowledge-based economy

International Innovation and Diffusion of Air Pollution Control Technologies: The Effects of NOX and SO2 Regulation in the US, Japan, and Germany

Using patent data from the United States, Japan, and Germany, this paper examines both the innovation and diffusion of air pollution control equipment. Whereas the United States was an early adopter of stringent sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards, both Japan and Germany introduced stringent nitrogen dioxide (NOX) standards much earlier than the US. Nonetheless, in both cases, tightened standards in the U.S. led to more domestic patenting, but not more foreign patenting. Overall, the data suggest that inventors respond to environmental regulatory pressure in their own country, but not to foreign environmental regulations. Moreover, any technology transfer that occurs appears to be indirect. Domestic innovation occurs even for technologies that have already experienced significant innovative activity abroad. Moreover, utilities in countries that adopt regulations later nonetheless purchase pollution abatement equipment from domestic firms. However, patent citation data from the U.S. show that earlier foreign patents are an important building block for NOX pollution control innovations in the U.S., suggesting that American inventors build on technological advances made in countries that adopted stringent regulation earlier.

Patent technometry by mind maps: a study on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment

Objective: To demonstrate the possibility of relating bibliographical review and patent technometry in a study on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).Method: Technometry in patents using a mind map generated from the classification of 466 patent registers. The prospecting of patents was carried out through the software Patent2Net accessing the database of the European Patent Office (EPO).Originality/Relevance: Research in patent databases as a source of information has been growing substantially with advances in information technology, but the identification of relevant records in a given context from the large volume of data available is still a challenge. In this work, we have analysed a method that has not yet been published, which deals with patent technometry with the use of mind maps.Results: The patent records found were related to the main problems mentioned in the literature on WEEE recycling, involving the following aspects: a) separation of high-value components from other elements. b) reduction of the environmental impact of battery recycling; c) transformation of solid waste into material useful or harmless to the environment; d) separation of metals from plastic waste; e) solutions for the adequate collection of residues from the domestic environment; and e) techniques to reduce the health impact of recycling professionals.Theoretical/methodological contributions: Presentation of the method of patent analysis by mind maps as a complementary resource to bibliographic research in studies aimed at technological innovation

Inter-firm Alliances during Pre-standardization in ICT

alliances, ICT, standardization