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Knowledge flows from public science to industrial technologies

Author

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  • Lili Wang

    (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University)

  • Zexia Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Scientific research has been acknowledged as an important knowledge resource for developing technologies. However, little is known about the heterogeneous nature of scientific knowledge and the associated contribution to technological advancement. Using nano technology as a case study, this paper investigates what types of scientific research can help improve the quality of technologies. This study uses backward and forward citation analysis, extracted from the Derwent World Patents Index. Non-patent citations from each patent are further connected with records indexed in Web of Science, and the forward citations for the cited articles are collected. On the one hand, our results confirm that there is an important contribution from science to technology. High-quality academic research has significantly contributed to the development of high-quality patents. On the other hand, this study also reveals the heterogeneous pattern of patents citing scientific publications, depending on the organizational type, country, and knowledge origin. Compared to those in the U.S., patents developed by Chinese inventors tend to reply on more recent science but with a narrower scientific scope.

Suggested Citation

  • Lili Wang & Zexia Li, 2021. "Knowledge flows from public science to industrial technologies," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 1232-1255, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:46:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10961-019-09738-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-019-09738-9
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    3. Chen, Xi & Mao, Jin & Ma, Yaxue & Li, Gang, 2024. "The knowledge linkage between science and technology influences corporate technological innovation: Evidence from scientific publications and patents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Knowledge transfer; Publications; Patents; Citations; Science-technology linkages; Nanotechnology;
    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
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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