Article2013

Examining technological innovation of Apple using patent analysis

84 citations0/0 files storedIndustrial Management & Data Systems

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Intellectual Property and Patents Innovation and Knowledge Management Firm Innovation and Growth

Abstract

Purpose Apple is a representative company of technological innovation (TI) and management. It has launched new and innovative products since 1977, and many companies and business schools around the world have attempted to learn about the success story of Apple's innovation. However, most previous research works on Apple's innovation have been based on qualitative approaches such as experts' opinions. Such studies offer a subjective point of view. By contrast, in this paper the authors aim to study the TI and forecasting of Apple by analyzing its patent applications, which is an objective approach to examining the innovation of Apple from a technological perspective. Design/methodology/approach TI is an important issue concerning technology management for companies and governments. To examine Apple's TI, the authors analyze all applied patents and construct analytical models according to three approaches. First, they build statistical models using the time series regression and multiple linear regression methods to create a technology map. Second, they cluster all Apple's patents to find its vacant technology domain. Lastly, they use social network analysis to search for technologies central to Apple's future. Findings The authors' study shows the technological trends and relations between Apple's technologies. This research finds vacant technology areas and central technologies for Apple's TI. Practical implications Using statistical and machine learning methods, the authors analyze all Apple's patents in order to predict the firm's future technologies. This research contributes to examining the TI of Apple. Therefore, the results of the patent analysis can highlight the technological opportunities for Apple's TI. Originality/value Traditional TI models have been based on qualitative methods. Previous investigations of Apple's TI have also relied on traditional analytical approaches. In this paper, however, the authors develop a quantitative and objective approach for examining Apple's TI.

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References

2005Forecasting, time series, and regression : an applied approach 2011Identification of effective opinion leaders in the diffusion of technological innovation: A social network approach 2011A patent quality analysis for innovative technology and product development 2007Visualizing patent statistics by means of social network analysis tools 2007Development of New Technology Forecasting Algorithm: Hybrid Approach for Morphology Analysis and Conjoint Analysis of Patent Information 2007Pattern of patent-based environmental technology innovation in China 2003Text mining applied to patent mapping: a practical business case 2012Technology forecasting using matrix map and patent clustering

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