RIEB, Kobe University

How Do Science and Technology Intersect in Complex Products? An Analysis of LCD-related Patents

In this paper we discuss liquid crystal displays as an example of "complex goods," or products composed of multiple constituent elements, in order to elucidate the linkages between science and technology. Exploratory analysis of bibliographic information from patents reveals two primary characteristics of such linkages in the field. First, although technology may not display strong linkages with scientific findings over all, some scientific knowledge is highly valuable for patented inventions. Companies in this field may be able to leverage scientific findings not used by competitors in order to produce more inventions. Second, because complex goods are based on an array of constituent elements, players in the field have the option whether or not to pursue inventions with strong links to science.