EuiSeob Jeong

Scientometric analysis of research in smart clothing: state of the art and future direction

The purposes of this study were to investigate research trends on smart textile and clothing and to suggest future research directions on smart textile and clothing by using scientometrics approach. The research of smart clothing was divided into five categories: technology, human factors, application, manufacturing, and consumer demands and retailing. Technology emerged as the dominant category suggesting technological development of smart materials and wearable input devices have been intensively studied and have provided a solid foundation for smart clothing research. The number of research on output devices and data and power transportation showed a gradually increasing trend since 2000. Analysis on technical collaboration among each research field showed a high correlation between input technology and the three main categories: smart materials, functional application and, manufacturing. Material sciences, electronic engineering and computer sciences were shown to be major research disciplines to lead smart clothing research based on quantity of publications.

An exploratory study on the development path of converging technologies using patent analysis: the case of nano biosensors

The recent technological convergence of distinctive technological fields represents a major source of technological innovation. More researchers have conducted ongoing technology convergence analysis to create successful breakthrough technology and solve technical problems. Many studies have uncovered technology convergence by developing convergence indices that measure diversity and the bonding strength of technology using Co-International Patent Classification (Co-IPC) classification and citation patent classification. However, most studies have focused on diversity and the closeness of technologies. This paper provides a microscopic analysis of market influence and bonding between individual technologies. We also uncover the development paths of technology convergence and the individual technology level. A novel patent analysis method is presented to trace the technological and market aspects of the evolution of technology convergence. A convergence index measures the size of technology convergence using Co-IPC, while the market index (MI) measures the global market entrance using the patent family data. The development paths of technology convergence for nano biosensors are analysed along with the individual technology level. Empirical results show a different technological and market development for 21 industrial technology fields of technology convergence for nano biosensors. Development of technology convergence is more sensitive to market factors than to technological ones. The development paths of sub industrial and technological fields are analysed. Technology convergence in machinery or electronics technologies shows a growing trend in MIs over time. Technology convergence in the measurement-machinery sector is expected to have a high future development potential.

Convergence innovation of the textile machinery industry in Korea

This paper aims to explore why the Korean textile machinery industry failed in competence building although its strong user sector, the textile industry of Korea, was once ranked high with strong competence. It argues that local user firms of the textile machinery industry did not play a role in building up the competence of specialised suppliers through convergence innovation. The diversity of textile machinery is so large that their convergence types of innovation are distinctive in creating new functions and products. The convergence innovation between the two industries and the resultant positive synergy has not been generated much in Korea. Strong user firms rather escaped from cooperative work with specialised suppliers, which otherwise may have generated convergence innovation and strengthened their competence. Weak convergence innovation by both textile firms and specialised suppliers caused their economic activities concurrently downturned. The Korean textile machinery industry and its user sector have lost their competence in relatively short period.

Technology Trend of Smart Clothing: Based on Patent Information Analysis

Advancement of science technology, combined with other technologies including smart clothing, enables value added product developments and market creation. Accordingly, it became necessary to identify technology trends promptly and to prepare future technology road map. For this purpose, many bibliometric analysis using thesis and patents have been made. However, few such attempts are made in clothing study. Thus, the study examined the latest technology trends and future technology development directions of smart clothing from empirical bibliometric analysis based on smart clothing patent documents. In addition, comparative analysis was made about the market leadership and technology development capability of core sectors by countries utilizing market reach index expressed as patent families and technology development index. The study revealed that overall smart clothing technology development trends has been continuously increasing since 2000. Also the results confirmed that it is in the development stage from the fact that each year the number of patents and patent applicants in portfolio analysis also has been increasing. In addition, comparative results of patent market share and market reach index, with the highest in electronics/ICT technology sectors, indicated that this is the technology sector with competitive acquisition of comparatively advanced technology and market expansion. The analysis methodology of economic value of technology including the presented market reach index in this report is expected to be utilized in the process to identify the current positioning of core technology and future development direction.