Patent-based Association Analysis for Technological Convergence of IT and BT

In recent innovative trends, one of the most notable features is technological convergence. The technological convergence of information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT) is important for our social, science, and lives. However, many studies focused on the convergence of IT and BT only from the standpoint of two technologies, such studies may miss some interesting information. To address this limitation, we use patent-based association analysis to explore technological convergence of IT and BT. The contribution of this paper is that it provides evidences for the convergence of IT and BT from two or more technologies, not just two technologies. This gives managerial implications for each sector of IT and BT.