Revisit the Classification of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) in Corporate Innovation Research Using Patent and Patent Citation Data

ABSTRACT Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been recognized as a type of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs), and thus are considered the "driving force" in corporate technology advance. In this study, we re-conceptualize and re-classify GPTs from a broad field-based approach, based on a two-dimensional construct using patent and patent citation data. The new construct makes connections of ICTs with other technology fields. The new approach takes into considerations that firms are not only "users" but also "innovators" of new technologies. The research results in this paper will serve as a platform based upon which more studies on ICTs and GPTs in technology changes, corporate innovations, international RD 2) leading to continuous technical advance; and 3) requiring complementary investment" (Helpman & Trajtenberg, 1998). As computing, communication and information technologies have been invented and diffused, there has emerged an extended trajectory of incremental technical improvements (Granstrand & Sjolander, 1992; Oskarsson, 1993; Patel & Pavitt, 1991). Such gradual and protracted process of computing-related technology diffusion signals the emergence of a new ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) based paradigm. The new ICT-based paradigm, compared with the old one which is primarily grounded upon energy and oil-related technologies, is characterized by the pervasiveness of ever more complex technologies, the increasing importance of science-based technologies (Dosi, 1982; Freeman & Perez, 1988; Cantwell & Fai, 1999; Cantwell & Santangelo, 2000), and the fusion of formerly separated technologies (Kodama, 1992). At this point, the natures of ICTs are consistent with the main characteristics of GPTs. Therefore, we believe that ICT is an advanced type of GPTs. There are three main objectives of this study. Firstly, we attempt to revisit the conceptualization of GPTs by discussing their "generality" nature. Prior research defines GPTs as a number of individual innovations (proxied by patents) that have been pervasively utilized in many sectors. In this study, instead, GPTs are referring to some broad technology fields (group of patents). We also suggest that the "pervasiveness" or "generality" need to be measured from a cross-industry approach. In order to do so, we create a dual-dimensional construct. The new construct allows us to bring the ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) concept which attracts increasingly more attentions in corporation innovation research into the GPT framework. Secondly, we classify GPTs using patent count and patent citation data respectively, and compare and contrast the result in defining GPTs. Such comparison may lead to some interesting discussion on the characteristics of GPTs. Thirdly, we map the pattern of innovations in GPT fields across different industries by tracking the creation and application of GPTs in each sector. Discussions on the change of the underlying trajectory of specific sectors provide some greater in depth insights about the GPT evolution and its implementation on the corporate R&D research in the future. …