Generating intelligence on the research and development progress of emerging technologies using patent and publication information

Abstract

It is critical for technology-driven organizations to have access to intelligence on the progress of research and development (R&D) in public or private laboratories. Technology forecasting methods can be useful in these cases if there is a history of performance. However the traditional forecasting methods can not be used effectively for predicting the prospects of emerging technologies as historical information for any particular emerging technology is limited due to the short time of its appearance. The bibliometric and patent analysis approach presented in this paper allows researchers to generate intelligence on emerging technologies supported by the wealth of today's public electronic information database. Furthermore, this paper also emphasizes the needs for technology managers to be aware of a time lag among different scientific indicators. ©2008 IEEE.