## 1 Introduction  
Scientific research in emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, privacy, and blockchain has become increasingly important in shaping the future of global innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security. As these fields rapidly evolve, understanding the factors that drive scientific productivity at the country level is essential for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders alike. By examining the country-level determinants of scientific productivity in cybersecurity, privacy, and blockchain, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors shaping the global landscape of cutting-edge technological research. The information gained from this analysis can contribute to more effective policymaking, strategic investment decisions, and international cooperation in these critical areas of scientific endeavor. The importance of studying the country-level determinants of scientific productivity in these domains derives from several considerations. Firstly, these technologies are at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the potential to dramatically transform industries, economies, and societies. The nations that excel in these areas are likely to gain significant economic and strategic advantages in the coming decades. Secondly, the development of these technologies raises ethical, legal, and societal questions that vary across different cultural and political contexts. Understanding how different national environments foster research in these fields can provide insights into the diverse approaches to addressing these challenges globally. Thirdly, the rapid pace of advancement in these technologies has led to intense global competition, often referred to as a \"tech race\" among nations. Analyzing the factors that contribute to a country's research output can help identify the key ingredients for fostering innovation ecosystems and inform national strategies for technological development. Lastly, as these technologies become increasingly central to national security and economic policies, there is a growing need to understand the global distribution of expertise and research capabilities. This knowledge can inform international collaboration efforts, identify potential gaps in global research coverage, and highlight opportunities for knowledge transfer and capacity building. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in both the public interest and scientific focus on cybersecurity, privacy, and blockchain technologies. This surge of attention is evident across various spheres, from media coverage and public discourse to academic research and industry investments. The rapid advancement and widespread application of these technologies have sparked intense debates about their societal implications, ethical considerations, and potential risks. Concurrently, the scientific community has responded with a proliferation of research, as evidenced by the growing number of publications, conferences, and dedicated journals in these fields. This heightened interest is driven by the transformative potential of these technologies to reshape industries, economies, and daily life, as well as by increasing concerns about data protection, digital security, and the ethical use of AI. The convergence of public awareness and scientific inquiry has created a dynamic environment where technological progress is closely linked with societal needs and concerns, further fueling the imperative to understand the factors driving research productivity in these domains at a national level. For example, the chart in Figure 1 illustrates publication trends for the selected technology topics from 2015 to 2024 based on Web of Science data. The total publication count, divided by 100 for scale, is also represented. The chart in Figure 2 from Google Trends illustrates the public interest, approximated through the Google Search interest over time for the three technology-related topics: data privacy, blockchain, and cybersecurity, spanning from 2004 to 2024.