Scientometrics and patent bibliometrics in RUL analysis. A new approach to valuation of intangible assets
| Pages | 80-91 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720910962461 |
| Published date | 10 April 2009 |
| Date | 10 April 2009 |
| Author | V. Cavaller |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Scientometrics and patent
bibliometrics in RUL analysis
A new approach to valuation of
intangible assets
V. Cavaller
Department of Information and Communication Sciences,
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Purpose – This article aims to show the application of scientometrics and patent bibliometrics in
remaining useful life (RUL) analysis for evaluating the value of intangible assets.
Design/methodology/approach – Technology innovation management is strictly related to the
RUL. The RUL concept is defined as the time remaining until the reliability drops below a defined
minimal operating threshold. The RUL analysis of certain intangible assets (patents and know-how
licence agreements, industrial designs, trade marks, logos, customer base) is done through different
methodologies and various different approaches. The key subject in all these methodologies is the life
cycle of the technology. The analyst tries to approach the foresight of the life cycle of technology to
establish its value in use. Different life measure systems are considered in RUL analysis depending on
different typologies of technology life: statutory, contract, judicial, economic and functional. Data used
in life cycle estimation may be used in RUL analysis. Typically, these data include scientific articles,
registration documents (patent applications, trade marks and copyright applications), commercial
contracts, judicial orders, financial statements and technology data.
Findings – The analysis of the life cycle allows the incorporation of qualitative considerations (legal,
contractual, physical, technical know-how, functional, economic) related to the conduct of future
technologies. But technology development is conditioned by trends in scientific research and by the
changes in the marketing dynamic, today and in the future. Qualitative methods provide a valuable
information service that relates to the intangible assets over time. The “typical survivor curve” shows
the released, remaining and probable life span of a certain technology by taking into account factors
such as technological changes, marketing acceptance, and other exogenous and endogenous factors.
Quantitative analysis of scientific production, applications for patents, industrial designs and trade
marks, developed in scientometrics and bibliometrics, provide an unbiased guide to R&D and business
trends.
Originality/value – The original purpose of the paper is to emphasise how the technology life cycle
is influenced by changes in technology but also in scientific research evolution. Scientific research life
analysis must examine the historical emergence or decay of a certain intellectual interest in the
scientific community through the study of what is and what is not published in scientific journals.
Keywords Intangible assets,Product life cycle, Patents
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction: intangible assets
1.1 Concept
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in IAS38 section of the International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) (IASB, 2008) defines an intangible asset as an
identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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VINE
39,1
80
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 39 No. 1, 2009
pp. 80-91
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055720910962461
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