Measuring Innovation Using Bibliometric Techniques: The Case of Solar Photovoltaic Industry

21 Pages Posted: 17 Apr 2009

See all articles by Georgeta Vidican-Sgouridis

Georgeta Vidican-Sgouridis

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Wei Lee Woon

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST)

Stuart Madnick

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management

Date Written: April 16, 2009

Abstract

In this paper, we use feature extraction and data analysis techniques for the elucidation of patterns and trends in technological innovation. In studying innovation, we focus on the role of public research institutions (research universities and national laboratories) in the development of new industries. More specifically, we are interested in measuring innovation through research collaborations between these institutions and the private sector. The proposed methods are primarily drawn from the field of bibliometrics – i.e. the analysis of information and trends in the publication of text documents, rather than the contents of these documents. In particular, we seek to explore the relationship between joint publication patterns and trends, R&D funding, technology development choices, and the viability and effectiveness of industry-university collaborations. To focus the discussions and to provide concrete examples of their applicability, this study will have an initial emphasis on the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector in the U.S., though the techniques and general approach devised here will be applicable to a broad range of industries, situations, and locations. Our analysis suggests that interesting information and conclusions can be derived from this line of analysis. The results obtained using our data extraction techniques allow us to identify early technology focus in different areas within solar PV technologies, and to determine potential technology pathways, which is critical for innovation policy in the renewable energy domain.

Keywords: bibliometrics, photoelectric, innovation

Suggested Citation

Vidican-Sgouridis, Georgeta and Woon, Wei Lee and Madnick, Stuart E., Measuring Innovation Using Bibliometric Techniques: The Case of Solar Photovoltaic Industry (April 16, 2009). MIT Sloan Research Paper No. 4733-09, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1388222 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1388222

Georgeta Vidican-Sgouridis (Contact Author)

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) ( email )

MASDAR
PO Box 54115
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ( email )

77 Massachusetts Avenue
50 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
United States

Wei Lee Woon

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) ( email )

MASDAR
PO Box 54115
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Stuart E. Madnick

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management ( email )

E53-321
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
617-253-6671 (Phone)
617-253-3321 (Fax)

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