Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Patent Citations in a Novel Field of Technology — What Can They Tell about Interactions between Emerging Communities of Science and Technology?

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of patent citation analysis in general and its application to novel fields of science and technology in particular. It introduces into the subject-matter by discussing an empirical problem, the relationship of nano-publications and nano-patents as representations of nano-science and nano-technology. Drawing on a variety of sources, different interpretations of patent citations are presented. Then, the nature of patent citations is further investigated by comparing them to citations in the scientific literature. After characterizing the citation linkage as indicators of reciprocal relationships between science and technology, patent citations in nano-science and technology are analyzed in terms of interfield and organizational knowledge-flows.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. Meyer, Commercializing Novel Technologies: Hurdles on the Way to Growth. Institute of Strategy and International Business, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. F. Layton, Technology as knowledge. Technology and Culture, 15 (1988) 31-41.

    Google Scholar 

  3. M. P. Carpenter, F. Narin, Validation study: Patent citations as indicators of science and foreign dependence. World Patent Information, 5 (1983) 180-185.

    Google Scholar 

  4. D. De Solla Price, Is technology historically independent of science? Technology and Culture, 6 (1965) 553-568.

    Google Scholar 

  5. I. Malsch, Nanotechnology in Europe: Experts' Perceptions and Scientific Relations between Subareas. Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, Seville, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Franks, Nanotechnology, J. Phys E: Sci. Instrum., 20 (1987) 1442-1451.

    Google Scholar 

  7. D.W. Budworth, Overview of Activities on Nanotechnology and Related Technology. Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, Seville, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  8. BMBF, Delphi-Bericht 1995 zur Entwicklung von Wissenschaft und Technik — Mini-Delphi. Bonn, 1996.

  9. T. Braun, A. Schubert, S. Zsindely, Nanoscience and nanotechnology on the balance, Scientometrics, 38 (1999) 321-325.

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. Meyer, O. Persson, Nanotechnology — interdisciplinarity, patterns of collaboration and differences in application, Scientometrics, 42 (1998) 195-205.

    Google Scholar 

  11. F. Narin, Patent bibliometrics. Scientometrics, 30 (1994) 150.

    Google Scholar 

  12. F. Narin, K.S. Hamilton, D. Olivastro, The increasing linkage between U.S. technology and public science, Research Policy, 26 (1997) 318.

    Google Scholar 

  13. F. Meyer-Krahmer, U. Schmoch, Chemistry, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Production Technology: A Comparison of Linking Mechanisms in Four Fields. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research: Karlsruhe, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  14. A. Rip, Science and technology as dancing partners. In: P. Kroes, M. Bakker (Eds), Technological Development and Science in the Industrial Age, Kluwer, 1992, pp. 231-270.

  15. M. Meyer, What is special about patent citations? Differences between patent and scientific citations. To be published in Scientometrics.

  16. R. D. Walker, Patents as Scientific and Technical Literature. The Scarecrow Press: Metuchen, NJ, and London, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Derwent, Global Patent Sources: An Overview of International Patents, Edition 2, February 1999, Derwent Information, London, 35.

    Google Scholar 

  18. H. Van Den Belt, Action at a distance: A.W. Hofmann and the French patent disputes (1860–1863), or how a scientist may influence legal decisions without appearing in court. In: R. Smith, B. Wynne (Eds), Expert evidence: interpreting science in the law. Routledge: London, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  19. B. Campbell, Generalists, practitioners, and intellectuals: the credibility of experts in English patent law. In: R. Smith, B. Wynne (Eds), Expert Evidence: Interpreting Science in the Law. Routledge: London, 1989, pp. 210-236.

    Google Scholar 

  20. M. Meyer, What is special about patent citations, forthcoming, Scientometrics.

  21. A. Rip, Mobilising resources through texts. In: M. Callon, J. Law, A. Rip (Eds), Mapping the Dynamics of Science and Technology, Macmillan: London, 1986, pp. 84-99.

    Google Scholar 

  22. P. Collins. S. Wyatt, Citations in patents to the basic research literature, Research Policy, 17 (1988), 65-74.

    Google Scholar 

  23. U. Schmoch, Tracing the knowledge transfer from science to technology as reflected in patent indicators, Scientometrics, 26 (1993) 193-211.

    Google Scholar 

  24. R. Bertram, personal communication.

  25. L. Karlsson, personal communication.

  26. Neue Presse, 13.3.1999, Patentamt kommt Fleiss der Erfinder kaum nach.

  27. R. S. Campbell, A.L. Nieves, Technology Indicators Based on Patent Data: The Case of Catalytic Converters — Phase I Report: Design and Demonstration. Batelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, 1979.

  28. M. Meyer, O. Persson, Tracing Knowledge Flows in a Novel Field of Technology: Inventiveness and Interaction between Nano-Science and Nano-Technology. Final report for Ruben Rausings Fond, SPRU, University of Sussex, Brighton, November 1999.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

    Martin Meyer

  2. SPRU Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, Falmer, UK

    Martin Meyer

  3. TECHNOPOLIS Ltd, Brighton, UK

    Martin Meyer

Authors
  1. Martin Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meyer, M. Patent Citations in a Novel Field of Technology — What Can They Tell about Interactions between Emerging Communities of Science and Technology?. Scientometrics 48, 151–178 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005692621105

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005692621105

Keywords

Search

Navigation