The Classification and Geographical Distribution of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs)

Abstract

General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) have been considered as a ¡°driving force¡± in technology advance. Our study attempts to contribute to the existing literature from the following perspectives. Firstly, we re-conceptualized GPTs as some broad technology fields based on a two-dimensional construct, rather than specific patents. This new construct allows us understand the ¡°generality¡± nature of GPTs in a more comprehensive way. Moreover, we suggest that since firms are not only the ¡°users¡± but ¡°innovators¡± of specific technologies, the traditional GPT classification, which is primarily based on patent citations is problematic. We then created a new mechanism to classify the GPTs. We also mapped the pattern of geographical distribution of GPTs across different countries in the world and in the U.S. Based on USPTO patents granted to the world largest industrial firms between 1969 and 1995 and their citations back to 1890, this study found that technological specializations in GPT fields are indeed closely associated with the internationalization and localization (clustering) of corporate R&D activities. The research results in this paper will serve as a platform based upon which more studies on GPTs and their applications in technology changes, international R&D and R&D clusters can be further developed.