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Are significant inventions more diversified?

Author

Listed:
  • Chunjuan Luan

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Haiyan Hou

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Yongtao Wang

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

  • Xianwen Wang

    (Dalian University of Technology
    Dalian University of Technology)

Abstract

This study aims at exploring whether significant inventions are more technologically diversified or have more diverse applications, investigating whether there are any innovation laws existing in R&D activities. Based on technology co-classification analysis, we select patent dataset meets the specific standard from the worldwide patent database named Derwent Innovations Index as sample dataset. Three indicators out of four verify the proposed hypotheses, i.e., significant inventions are more diversified in terms of individual invention. The fourth indicator implies that focusing on some core technology domains maybe better for creating significant inventions when R&D activities are considered as a whole. The results are of great theoretical significance by helping us identifying the diversified characteristic laws of significant inventions; moreover, they are of crucial practical meanings to R&D work and technology innovation activities etc.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunjuan Luan & Haiyan Hou & Yongtao Wang & Xianwen Wang, 2014. "Are significant inventions more diversified?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 100(2), pages 459-470, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:100:y:2014:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-014-1303-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-014-1303-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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