Abstract:

Using patent data, a new quantitative analytical method combines different variables already acknowledged and operationalized in literature, in order to define a set of innovation behaviours and technology strategies of top research and development (R&D) companies belonging to technology hardware & equipment industry. Specifically, this paper presents twelve innovation behaviours and defines a map that summarises the strategies of companies towards innovation and provides information about the prevailing innovation paths. The framework can be applied also for mapping innovation strategies in specific industries and describing the technological evolution. The methodology is tested on a sample of 133 companies, by analysing their patents applied from 2008 to 2012. From the analysis of the behaviours of companies, a preponderance of exploitation strategies that lead to radical outputs is detected. We also found a growing adoption of open innovation and an increasing concentration of R&D efforts on radical outputs.