Hsin-Yu Shih

Patent citation network analysis of core and emerging technologies in Taiwan: 1997---2008

Identifying core technologies and emerging technologies is essential for formulating national technology strategies and policies for pursuing technological competitive advantage. This study presents a quantitative method for identifying core technologies and emerging technologies in the Taiwan technological innovation system. The objective was to gain an overview of technological development in the country by analyzing patent citation networks and by identifying five core technologies and emerging technologies in Taiwan based on United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patents granted to Taiwan during 1997–2008. The findings indicate the most appropriate management of technology and innovation and the best patent strategy and technology policy that the Taiwan government should pursue. Research institutes, industries and academia are also given research directions for choosing the technologies in which they should invest resources in order to strengthen the Taiwan technological innovation system and to increase its competitive advantage in global technology.

National innovative capacity in the international technology diffusion: The perspective of network contagion effects

Effective promoting national innovative capacity performance tends to be a critical policy for a country. This study examines network contagion effects on international diffusion of embodied and disembodied technology by two different social network models: cohesion models, which are based on diffusion by direct communication, and structural equivalence models, which are based on diffusion by network position similarity. This study then utilizes the data of 42 countries from 1997 to 2002 to empirically examine their relational influences. The analytical results show international technology diffusion influences the performance of national innovative capacity through contagion effects; however, the mimetic behavior is predicted better by network position than by interactions with others. This result provides a broader consideration for science and technology policy.

Team structure to accelerate knowledge diffusion: A case study in computer software developer

Learning faster is important competence in personal competitive advantage. However, to accelerate a group of people learning efficiency is more complicated than individual practice. Learning efficiency is highlight research in knowledge management. In practice, knowledge is difficult to manage directly. On the other hand, managing knowledge behaviors can achieve knowledge management. A teamwork structure is a micro social system and internal collaboration network. Therefore, different teamwork structure conducts different knowledge behaviors and their performance. Social influence theories provide an interpretation that different social proximity evoke distinguish contagion effects. This study applies the social network perspective to explore the knowledge behaviors of computer software developer. Therefore, the finding of this study shows that controlling network redundancy can enhance knowledge diffusion efficiency. Furthermore, if team fails to manage knowledge diffusion, they will offset the timing of competitive advantage in technological upgrade. Base on this finding, this study suggests a new thinking for implement of knowledge management and R&D strategic planning.

Exploring the structure of international technology diffusion

Globalization has highlighted changes in socio-economic terms and is reshaping the world. The international diffusion of technology therefore becomes one of the most important topics of economics and technology policy research. However, comparing endogenous factors, exogenous factors are complexity and demonstrate as network phenomenon. The network phenomenon composes by neither solely nor independently unit. Countries in global network demonstrated interdependent, and influenced by many others. Thus, this study utilizes social network analysis to investigate the structural configuration of international technology diffusion. This study provides macro perspective on diffusion structure research. The purpose of this study is to investigate the deep structure of international technology diffusion and structural differences between embodied and disembodied technology diffusion networks. This work also provides an understanding of the nature of globalization. The findings not only illustrate the pattern change of diffusion structure form cascade-like to radial-like, but also present the structural configuration of technologically advanced countries and the competitive positions of each country. The findings regarding the diffusion pattern changes and network position identifications can make policy implications for countries interested in exogenous effects for technological growth.

Technology royalty as a strategic impetus in knowledge exchange

Joint ventures and technology licensing can involve contracting and royalty-based payments. Payment behavior is not a simple consequence; it may be a strategic impetus to exchange knowledge. Extending the transaction cost economics, this study examines the effects of non-contractible variables on the strategic preference for payment modes. We test hypotheses using information from a survey of 104 Taiwanese firms and partial least square (PLS) analysis to examine the payment behavior in a technology licensing contract. Considering knowledge tacitness, the licensed technology incurring high transraction costs reduces the source intention to build long-term relationship with the recipient, and thus a fee-based payment is preferred. When shifting the focus of technology or knowledge per se to the heterogeneity of technology recipients, relationship exchange embedded in recipient dependence and learning potential becomes critical in a technology licensing contract, and increase the likelihood of royalty-based payment.

Structure of a patent transaction network

Firms participating in a patent transaction network demonstrate interdependence and mutually influence one another. The characteristics of such a network structure demonstrate a complex overall configuration. This study proposes a dynamic perspective for investigating the structure of a patent transaction network. By using network analysis, this study defines the structural configuration of a patent transaction network by measuring centralization, centrality, and linkage distribution. Data from patent transactions of the flat panel display sector from 1976 to 2012 have been examined evaluate their networking. The results show that the structural configuration of a patent transaction network shows significant stratification patterns in terms of a given firm’s technology exportation and brokerage capabilities, but also operates as a complex system. This analysis provides insights into patent transaction networks, and also addresses policy implications for firms and authorities who are interested in acquiring market competition or governance.

The technology diffusion in patent transaction network: An example of TFT-LCD industry

This study investigates several distinctive features of a patent transaction market. Through social network analysis, a patent transaction market can reveal the relationship between portfolio clusters, the position of key market players, as well as the behaviors of patent practicing entities (PEs) and non-practicing entities (NPEs). This studys findings show: first, a mature period for a patent transaction market exhibits clusterization and a small-world structure whereby a limited number of players maintain large technological or patent monetization portfolios. Second, the network evolution of a technology market is asynchronous to technology development. Third, technology diffusion in patent transactions will demonstrate a pattern of cooperation, and the typology of a technological transaction chain The result not only reveals the IPR strategy of leading technology firms but also demonstrates the social structure of their competitive advantage. This analysis provides insights into patent transaction networks, and also addresses management implications for firms interested in acquiring market competition or market governance.

A firm perspective on commercializing university technology

Abstract The transfer and commercialization of university technology requires interactive marketing. While a growing number of studies have examined academic entrepreneurship, the relationship between university technology and firm decisions regarding commercialization remains poorly understood. This study employs the firm perspective to holistically outline the characteristics and relationships related to the commercialization of university technology in Taiwan. Using 83 firms involved in acquiring university technology through licensing, joint research or contract research, this study identifies negative relationships between the likelihood of commercialization and guanxi and variable royalties, respectively, suggesting that acquired technology can be considered a short-term, transaction-specific investment in securing further guanxi, and that variable royalties compensate faculty/inventors but recompense recipients for additional transaction costs incurred. The results highlight the need to closely examine the nature of technology, relationship development, and royalties behind commercialization, and recommends further research to develop academic entrepreneurship from the firm perspective.