Green Technologies and diversity in the knowledge search and output Evidence from Patents

The aim of this study is to investigate technological diversity in the knowledge search and the knowledge output stages of the green inventive process. Exploiting a large sample of European patent data, from 1980 to 2013, the paper explores the degree of diversity in green inventions, comparing the recombinant features of green technologies with a control sample of non-green technologies selected through propensity score matching techniques. Empirical results suggest that green technologies show a higher degree of diversity of the knowledge sources and a higher technological diversity in how knowledge is effectively recombined. We further find that the green diversity premium is higher in the knowledge output phase than in the knowledge search phase. We conclude that the assessment of the role of technological diversity along the different phases of the invention process may improve the appropriate organization of innovative activities and policy design necessary for stimulating green technological developments and support a feasible sustainable transition.

Automated summary

The aim of this study is to examine the technological diversity in the knowledge search and output stages of the green inventive process. Using a large sample of European patent data from 1980 to 2013, the study compares the diversity of green inventions with non-green inventions through propensity score matching. The results show that green technologies have higher diversity in knowledge sources and effective recombination of knowledge. The study also finds that the diversity premium is higher in the knowledge output phase than in the knowledge search phase. The findings suggest that considering technological diversity in different stages of the invention process can help improve the organization of innovative activities and policy design to support green technological development and sustainable transition.