Patent Activity of Countries and Sectors in Graphene-Based Technologies

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Purpose: The aim of this article is to analyse the patent activity of various countries, regions, and sectors (academic, private, governmental) from 2000 to 2018, identifying global leaders in graphene-based technologies. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an analysis of patent filings from the PATSTAT (EPO) database covering the years 2000-2018. Bibliometric techniques were employed to quantify trends in patent filings, combined with statistical analysis to identify areas with the highest growth dynamics. The data was segmented by countries and sectors, enabling a statistical examination of regional and sectoral diversity. Findings: The findings reveal a diverse level of development in graphene technologies across different regions and sectors, influenced by local innovation strategies and varying levels of research and development engagement. Initially, the provision of essential research resources and infrastructure played a crucial role in enabling the growth of graphene-based technologies. As research progressed, there was a notable increase in patent activity, reflecting the intensification of research and development efforts and the gradual implementation of new technologies across various industrial sectors. Research limitations: The research limitations stem from the quality of patent data, which does not always reflect the full scope of research and development activity. Issues may arise from classification errors, inconsistencies in name standardization, transcription errors, and data incompleteness, all of which may affect the accuracy of the analysis results. Research implications: This study provides valuable insights into the development and commercialization of graphene technologies, which can support innovation strategies across various sectors. The findings can assist policymakers in making decisions regarding resource allocation and setting research and development priorities, as well as understanding the dynamics of activity and collaboration between sectors. Originality/value: The article contributes to the literature on innovation management, particularly in the context of breakthrough technologies represented by graphene-based technologies. The study provides detailed insights into the leaders in this field, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in the effective implementation of new technologies and fostering innovation dynamics.