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Technological evolution seen from the USPC reclassifications

Author

Listed:
  • Chun-Chieh Wang

    (National Taiwan University)

  • Hui-Yun Sung

    (National Chung Hsing University)

  • Mu-Hsuan Huang

    (National Taiwan University)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate technological evolution from the perspective of the US Patent Classification (USPC) reclassification. Similar to the revisions of the Dewey Decimal Classification, a commonly used library classification scheme, USPC reclassification takes the forms of creating, abolishing or modifying USPC class schedules. The results showed that there exist significant differences among five types of patents based on the USPC reclassification: Patents reclassified to Class 001 (classification undetermined), Patents with Technological Inter-field Mobilised Codes, Patents with Technological Intra-field Mobilised Codes, Patents with Abolished Codes, and Patents with Original Codes. Patents reclassified to Class 001, mostly related to the topic of “Data processing”, performed better than other patents in novelty, linkage to science, technological complexity and innovative scope. Patents with Inter-field Mobilised Codes, related to the topics of “Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing” and “Optical communications”, involved broader technology topics but had a low speed of innovation. Patents with Intra-field Mobilised Codes, mostly in the Computers & Communications and Drugs & Medical fields, tended to have little novelty and a small innovative scope. Patents with Abolished Codes and patents with Original Codes performed similarly—their values of patent indicators were low. It is suggested that future research extend the patent sample to subclasses or reclassified secondary USPCs in order to understand the technological evolution within a field in greater detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Chun-Chieh Wang & Hui-Yun Sung & Mu-Hsuan Huang, 2016. "Technological evolution seen from the USPC reclassifications," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 107(2), pages 537-553, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:107:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-016-1851-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-016-1851-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sung, Hui-Yun & Wang, Chun-Chieh & Huang, Mu-Hsuan & Chen, Dar-Zen, 2015. "Measuring science-based science linkage and non-science-based linkage of patents through non-patent references," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 9(3), pages 488-498.
    2. Deborah Strumsky & José Lobo & Sander van der Leeuw, 2012. "Using patent technology codes to study technological change," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 267-286, April.
    3. Bronwyn H. Hall & Adam B. Jaffe & Manuel Trajtenberg, 2001. "The NBER Patent Citation Data File: Lessons, Insights and Methodological Tools," NBER Working Papers 8498, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. V. K. Gupta, 2006. "References to literature in patent documents: A case study of CSIR in India," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 68(1), pages 29-40, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coccia, Mario, 2019. "The theory of technological parasitism for the measurement of the evolution of technology and technological forecasting," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 289-304.
    2. Mario Coccia, 2019. "Technological Parasitism," Papers 1901.09073, arXiv.org.
    3. François Lafond & Daniel Kim, 2019. "Long-run dynamics of the U.S. patent classification system," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 631-664, April.
    4. Mario COCCIA, 2017. "The Fishbone diagram to identify, systematize and analyze the sources of general purpose technologies," Journal of Social and Administrative Sciences, KSP Journals, vol. 4(4), pages 291-303, December.
    5. Mario Coccia, 2018. "Measurement of the evolution of technology: A new perspective," Papers 1803.08698, arXiv.org.

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