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The influence of key enabling technologies on technological innovation

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  • Colin Wessendorf

Abstract

Key enabling technologies (KETs) have gained attention in science and policy due to their multidisciplinary nature and their ability to link distant knowledge fields, endowing them with a central role in recombinant innovation processes. However, it remains under-researched whether KETs generally have a higher influence on innovation processes than non-KETs. This study addresses the question by using propensity score matching and regression analysis. First, a balanced dataset is created through matching KET patents to non-KET patents that stem from a comparable context. Subsequently, it is analyzed whether KET patents are associated with higher forward citation frequencies than non-KETs. The results show that KETs receive more citations on average, but it appears that this effect is driven by a few very impactful patents. The results further show that not all KETs exert a measurable impact on forward citations and highlight the heterogeneities between the individual KETs. These findings call for a more critical assessment of the KET concept and for nuanced approaches in research and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin Wessendorf, 2024. "The influence of key enabling technologies on technological innovation," Bremen Papers on Economics & Innovation 2403, University of Bremen, Faculty of Business Studies and Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:atv:wpaper:2403
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.26092/elib/3553
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Key enabling technologies; general purpose technologies; recombinant novelty; technological impact; patent citations; propensity score matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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