Technology Opportunities Analysis

We present an approach to efficiently generate effective intelligence on emerging technologies. This approach draws on monitoring and bibliometrics to mine the wealth of information available in major public electronic databases. The approach uses new software to expedite secondary analyses of database searches on topics of interest. We illustrate the range of information profiles possible by examining research and development (R&D) publications and patents pertaining to electronics assembly and, more specifically, to multichip module development.

Many forms of analyzing future technology and its consequences co-exist, for example, technology intelligence, forecasting, roadmapping, assessment, and foresight. All of these techniques fit into a field we call technology futures analysis (TFA). These methods have matured rather separately, with little interchange and sharing of information on methods and processes. There is a range of experience in the use of all of these, but changes in the technologies in which these methods are used -- from industrial to information and molecular -- make it necessary to reconsider the TFA methods. New methods need to be explored to take advantage of information resources and new approaches to complex systems. Examination of the processes sheds light on ways to improve the usefulness of TFA to a variety of potential users, from corporate managers to national policy-makers.

Cross Industry opportunity Analysis

Novocus Legal has developed a specialised Technical Evaluation Gauntlet for assessing cross –industry innovation potential. Technical Evaluation Gauntlet is a specialized patent evaluation matrix developed to quantify commercial potential of a patent based on the technical content of the patent. Every patent that is filed addresses a problem faced by humanity. Also, every patent filed is focussed around a particular technical domain. However, in this era of inter-disciplinary technology domains like nanotechnology, medical devices, and biotechnology, one can often use a single technology for a plethora of applications in a technical filed or use a single technology for similar applications in a plethora of technical fields. But, while, inventors and investors have an exhaustive knowledge about few technical domains, they often do not realise that a patent may have a very varied commercialization spectrum. Hence, it is of utmost importance that every patent or a particular portfolio of patents be passed through such gauntlets so as to realise full commercial potential of any patent. Also, this gauntlet can help evaluate white spaces and find research indicators for a particular technical domain. The technical Evaluation Gauntlet has been established to change the paradigm for delivering high quality and cost-effective technical evaluation services.

Knowledge Externality Analysis

Portfolio analysis for mining future research indications

There are no doubts about the importance of knowledgespillovers for economic growth. In a contemporary knowledge and technology driveneconomy the role of knowledge exchange and dissemination is often as important as, forexample, the role of direct investment. Firstly, such spillovers allow a better penetrationand diffusion of innovation among economic agents increasing their competitiveness(through lower costs of new technologies). Secondly, they stimulate cooperation in R&Dby creating additional incentives for innovators to try to internalize knowledge flows andpool the resources in joint research efforts. Both of these types of effects eventually resultin faster technological progress and economic growth in the country.