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Mining research and invention activity for innovation trends: case of blockchain technology

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Abstract

The blockchain was first discussed in the financial sector. However, it has been the subject of debate in many different sectors today due to several advantages such as data security, privacy, and auto control. The records that are linked together by the encryption technologies form blocks and these blocks form the blockchain. Each block has a hash code that allows its connection to the previous block. In this way, it is ensured that the subject and context can be stored without being broken. With this structure, it is possible to say that the blockchain has many advantages in data storage, organization, and management. Due to these advantages, there is an increased interest in blockchain technology both in academia and in the private sector. However, there is still a gap in blockchain information related to blockchain inventions, therefore the aim of this paper is to describe the social and intellectual structure of blockchain research over scientific papers and patent analysis. To do that, we have extracted 4502 research papers from scientific databases. Data was gathered from the Web of Science. Bibliometrics and scientometrics methods were used to analyze the data. Network theory and social network analysis metrics were used in the creation of visuals, and collaborations in the context of authors, countries, and institutions were examined. H-index, dominance ranking, and citation analysis was used to reveal the intellectual structure of the area. Our objective is to understand the current research topics, challenges, and future directions regarding Blockchain technology from the intellectual, social structure, and intellectual property perspectives. In this context, the research questions we seek to answer in our research are to stimulate theory and understanding about blockchain studies by combining the main bibliometrics indicators and patent analytics. Finally, the basic dynamics for the patenting status and commercialization of blockchain technology have been assessed in terms of developed sectors and sectors open to development. The aspects of social, intellectual, and commercialization of the area were determined through these visuals and analysis, which will help researchers and other practitioners of the field. In terms of Low Aggregate Constraint Values, it is seen that the G05D1 is the most open area for improvement in blockchain technologies. On the other hand, it has been observed that the technology class with the highest saturation level is the technologies in the field of general-purpose storage technologies and programs such as G06F1.

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Notes

  1. TOPIC: (blockchain or “block chain”) Timespan: All years. Indexes: SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, BKCI-S, BKCI-SSH, ESCI, CCR-EXPANDED, IC.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Postdoctoral Research Programme (TUBITAK BIDEP 2219) [1059B191700840].

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  1. Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey

    Haydar Yalcin

  2. Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA

    Tugrul Daim

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Yalcin, H., Daim, T. Mining research and invention activity for innovation trends: case of blockchain technology. Scientometrics 126, 3775–3806 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-03876-4

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