Science Research Management ›› 2012, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 113-120,135.

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The technology complexity based on patent width and depth

Zhang Gupeng, Chen Xiangdong, Niu Xin   

  1. School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2010-10-08 Revised:2011-01-13 Online:2012-03-27 Published:2012-03-24

Abstract: Based on the measurement of patent complexity proposed by Ozman M., the breadth and depth of 30 technology fields are analyzed by using Chinese invention patent data. The result is compared with the result of Ozman who analyzes the European patents. It is proved that the complexity of technology fields in both China and Europe are similar. The complexity of top 20 telecommunication corporations in China significantly differs with that in Europe. Japanese telecommunication corporations own greater technology breadth and depth than U.S. and European telecommunication corporations do, it is suggested that Japanese telecommunication corporations own more complex patents.

Key words: patent breadth, patent depth, technology complexity, IPC

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