Title: Technology and knowledge document cluster analysis for enterprise R&D strategic planning

Authors: Fu-Chiang Hsu, Amy J.C. Trappey, Charles V. Trappey, Jiang-Liang Hou, Shang-Jyh Liu

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu (300), Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu (300), Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Management Science, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu (300), Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu (300), Taiwan, ROC. ' Institute of Technology Law, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu (300), Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: Through technology and knowledge document analysis, companies can realise the condition of specified technology development and the potential competitors in the market. As patents provide exclusive right and legal protection for patent inventors, patents play an important role in the development of technology. This paper presents the process of patent knowledge extraction and methodologies of patent analysis to improve the efficiency of patent analysis. Furthermore, the methodologies proposed in this paper include patent map analysis, patent technology clustering, patent document clustering and technology maturity measurement. Through these methodologies, companies can gain rich information and perform better in patent management. Moreover, the strategic plans of R&D can also be determined using the methodologies proposed in this paper.

Keywords: knowledge documents; patent analysis; technology documents; R&D; cluster analysis; innovation management; technology management; document analysis; patent knowledge extraction; patents; intellectual property; technology maturity measurement; research and development; strategic planning; document clustering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2006.010271

International Journal of Technology Management, 2006 Vol.36 No.4, pp.336 - 353

Published online: 12 Jul 2006 *

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