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Developing technology in the vicinity of science: An examination of the relationship between science intensity (of patents) and technological productivity within the field of biotechnology

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Abstract

In this paper we investigate — at a country level — the relationship between the science intensity of patents and technological productivity, taking into account differences in terms of scientific productivity. The number of non patent references in patents is considered as an approximation of the science intensity of technology whereas a country’s technological and scientific performance is measured in terms of productivity (i.e., number of patents and publications per capita). We use USPTO patent-data pertaining to biotechnology for 20 countries covering the time period 1992–1999. Our findings reveal mutual positive relationships between scientific and technological productivity for the respective countries involved. At the same time technological productivity is associated positively with the science intensity of patients. These results are confirmed when introducing time effects. These observations corroborate the construct validity of science intensity as a distinctive indicator and suggest its usefulness for assessing science and technology dynamics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Managerial Economics, Strategy and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Applied Economics, K. U. Leuven, Naamsestraat 69, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Bart Van Looy, Tom Magerman & Koenraad Debackere

  2. Research Division INCENTIM, K.U.Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Bart Van Looy, Tom Magerman & Koenraad Debackere

  3. Steunpunt O&O Statistieken, K.U.Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Bart Van Looy, Tom Magerman & Koenraad Debackere

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  1. Bart Van Looy
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  2. Tom Magerman
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  3. Koenraad Debackere
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Correspondence to Bart Van Looy.

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Van Looy, B., Magerman, T. & Debackere, K. Developing technology in the vicinity of science: An examination of the relationship between science intensity (of patents) and technological productivity within the field of biotechnology. Scientometrics 70, 441–458 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-0211-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-0211-8

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