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The co-evolution of knowledge and collaboration networks: the role of the technology life-cycle

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Abstract

The aim of the paper is to show how the transition from the emergence of a technology to its development phase impacts the evolution of the structure of the collaboration network. In order to identify these first phases of the life cycle of the technology a method is developed based on the International Patent Classification. Using this method, we identify when a technology transitions from an emerging technology to a stage in which applications of the technology are found. We then compare the moment at which this transition occurs to the evolution of the collaboration network for the same technology and show that there is a significant change in the structure of the network when this transition occurs.

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Notes

  1. The ability of firms to absorb and send knowledge also plays an important role.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support from l’Initiative d’Excellence of the University of Bordeaux, the Regional Council of New Aquitaine and the ITEMM Lab financed by Michelin. Comments and suggestions from Murat Yildizoglu, Francesco Lissoni, Bart Verspagen, Thomas Vallée, Andreas Pyka and anonymous referees are gratefully appreciated.

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  1. GREThA UMR-CNRS 5113, Plateforme VIA-INNO, Univ. Bordeaux, Pessac, France

    Johannes van der Pol & Jean-Paul Rameshkoumar

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  1. Johannes van der Pol
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  2. Jean-Paul Rameshkoumar
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Correspondence to Johannes van der Pol.

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van der Pol, J., Rameshkoumar, JP. The co-evolution of knowledge and collaboration networks: the role of the technology life-cycle. Scientometrics 114, 307–323 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2579-4

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