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Identifying technological sub-trajectories in patent data: the case of photovoltaics

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  • Martin Kalthaus

Abstract

This paper proposes a patent search strategy for photovoltaics which allows distinguishing patents of the photovoltaic system into sub-trajectories. Identifying and analyzing sub-trajectories is of particular importance for understanding micro patterns of technological change. The proposed search strategy is modular and replicable. It performs similar to benchmark search strategies and allows us to distinguish three cell sub-trajectories and two system components. The identified sub-trajectories allow a more detailed economic analysis previously not possible. Descriptive analyses reveal that inventive activity differs between sub-trajectories and countries. The market dominating silicon wafer cell sub-trajectory shows hardly any patented inventive activity even though it dominates the market. Furthermore, there are shifts in relative patenting activity between sub-trajectories, previously unnoticed at the trajectory level. Country comparison reveals that Asian countries focus on the emerging cell sub-trajectory, fostering their competitive advantage. The USA focuses on the established thin-film sub-trajectory, and inventive activity in Germany focuses on module components. The results have several implications for policy, for example, questioning the effectiveness of demand pull policies for inventive activity, and economic theory. The empirical assessment of sub-trajectories can increase understanding of technological change and uncover dynamics not observable at the trajectory level.

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  • Martin Kalthaus, 2019. "Identifying technological sub-trajectories in patent data: the case of photovoltaics," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4), pages 407-434, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:ecinnt:v:28:y:2019:i:4:p:407-434
    DOI: 10.1080/10438599.2018.1523356
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Kalthaus, 2020. "Knowledge recombination along the technology life cycle," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 643-704, July.
    2. Caravella, Serenella & Crespi, Francesco & Cucignatto, Giacomo & Guarascio, Dario, 2023. "Technological Sovereignty and Strategic Dependencies: The case of the Photovoltaic Supply Chain," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1330, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Alessandri, Enrico, 2023. "Identifying technological trajectories in the mining sector using patent citation networks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Deyu Li & Floor Alkemade & Koen Frenken & Gaston Heimeriks, 2023. "Catching up in clean energy technologies: a patent analysis," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 693-715, April.
    5. Ann Hipp, 2021. "R&D collaborations along the industry life cycle: the case of German photovoltaics manufacturer [Patterns of industrial innovation]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 30(3), pages 564-586.
    6. Maria Tsouri & Ron Boschma, 2024. "The importance of science for the development of new PV technologies in European regions," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2410, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Apr 2024.
    7. Alessandri, Enrico, 2021. "Identifying technological trajectories in the mining sector using patent citation networks," MERIT Working Papers 2021-048, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

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