Article: Bionetworks vs. nanonetworks: a comparison of diffusion rates of emerging technologies Journal: International Journal of Biotechnology (IJBT) 2014 Vol.13 No.1/2/3 pp.90 - 104 Abstract: This exploratory investigation offers evidence from biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors regarding the differential impacts of information flow rates, dispersion of networks and combination of progenitor sciences and technologies on technology diffusion rates. In recent years, enhanced rates of information flow have increased the ability for a greater overall number and diversity of foreign players to enter emerging technology development trajectories. At the same time, these trends are creating more dispersed networks with concomitant problems associated with information flow in such diffuse situations. Rates of diffusion of emerging technologies are also importantly affected by the number of scientific fields and generic technologies combined to create the new technology and the level of resultant complexity; higher levels of complexity can slow down diffusion rates. Further, at the country level, absorptive capacity is largely determined through institutions and their policies; however, in terms of enabling diffusion of technology to move effectively downstream from science to market, this requires social capabilities. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

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Title: Bionetworks vs. nanonetworks: a comparison of diffusion rates of emerging technologies

Authors: Susan E. Reid; Jorge Niosi; Shyama V. Ramani

Addresses: Williams School of Business, Bishop's University, 2600 College Street, Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7, Canada ' Department of Management and Technology, Canada Research Chair on the Management of Technology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O. Box 8888 Station Centre-Ville, Montreal H3C 3P8, Canada ' UNU-MERIT, Keizer Karelplein 19, 6211 TC Maastricht, The Netherlands; Brunel University, Kingston Ln, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK

Abstract: This exploratory investigation offers evidence from biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors regarding the differential impacts of information flow rates, dispersion of networks and combination of progenitor sciences and technologies on technology diffusion rates. In recent years, enhanced rates of information flow have increased the ability for a greater overall number and diversity of foreign players to enter emerging technology development trajectories. At the same time, these trends are creating more dispersed networks with concomitant problems associated with information flow in such diffuse situations. Rates of diffusion of emerging technologies are also importantly affected by the number of scientific fields and generic technologies combined to create the new technology and the level of resultant complexity; higher levels of complexity can slow down diffusion rates. Further, at the country level, absorptive capacity is largely determined through institutions and their policies; however, in terms of enabling diffusion of technology to move effectively downstream from science to market, this requires social capabilities.

Keywords: networks; biotechnology; nanotechnology; national systems of innovation; NSI; technology diffusion; bionetworks; nanonetworks; information flow; absorptive capacity; social capabilities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2014.059649

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2014 Vol.13 No.1/2/3, pp.90 - 104

Accepted: 14 Mar 2013
Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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Title: Bionetworks vs. nanonetworks: a comparison of diffusion rates of emerging technologies

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