Using hot patents to explore technological evolution: a case from the orthopaedic field
| Published date | 05 February 2018 |
| Date | 05 February 2018 |
| Pages | 159-171 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-02-2017-0042 |
| Author | Hsi-Yin Yeh,Chi-Wei Lo,Kai-Shing Chang,Ssu-Han Chen |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Using hot patents to explore
technological evolution: a case
from the orthopaedic field
Hsi-Yin Yeh and Chi-Wei Lo
Policy Research and Information Center, National Applied Research Laboratories
Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, and
Kai-Shing Chang and Ssu-Han Chen
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of
Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to propose a visualized model of hot technology evolution to describe its
development.
Design/methodology/approach –The basic concept is to divide a technological field into a timeline
consisting of several patent clusters.Hot technology trajectories are then explored using their continuity,as
well as the point in time at which they occur.
Findings –Patents in orthopaedics between1999 and 2014 have been chosen as the research subjects and
the field is divided into several hot technology trajectories. A further step is taken by interpreting high-
frequency key terms. Three categories –spine-related materials, bone repairingmaterials and bone plates –
have been identified.
Practical implications –The trajectories presented by evolvingdiagrams allow readers to understand
the evolutionof hot technology and help analysts to planlayout and strategies to remain competitive.
Originality/value –Patent clusters reflect the knowledge context of technology development. Previous
studies havefocused on only new technology evolution andhave rarely explored the knowledge contextof hot
patents that have been frequently cited in recent years. Such patents often guide the development of
technology.
Keywords Hot technology trajectory, Orthopaedic, Patentometrics
Paper type Case study
Introduction
During the development of new technology, government agencies, business organizations
and research institutes often invest large amounts of resources, hoping to make a
breakthrough in the field. However,without big data analytics of patent documents ahead of
time, the decision toinvest often relies on only expert opinion (Landeta,2006). It is becoming
increasingly difficult to provide technological insights using only expert opinion because
technological knowledge is growing so fast that there is no expert who can fully
comprehend the entire knowledge picture for a specific technological domain. The
development of policy without evidence is subjective and can result in misallocation of
resources and missed opportunities. A map is needed for guidance when engaging in a
This research is partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan,
under Contract No. MOST 104-2815-C-131-002-H.
Hot patents
159
Received24 February 2017
Revised2 April 2017
Accepted4 June 2017
TheElectronic Library
Vol.36 No. 1, 2018
pp. 159-171
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-02-2017-0042
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