Patent analysis-based fuzzy inference system for technological strategy planning

This paper describes a technological strategy planning method that integrates patent analysis techniques with a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The method differentiates itself from the traditional technological management decision-making tools in its knowledge base. Instead of eliciting knowledge from domain experts, the proposed method adopts global patent databases as sources of knowledge for strategy planning. The patent analysis techniques are employed to evaluate the technological competitiveness of a firm in a specific technology domain. A FIS for technological strategy planning is developed. Critical attributes for inputs of the FIS including Patent Quantity (PQ), Revealed Patent Advantage (RPA), Patent Activity (PA), Be Cited Rate (BCR), and Relative Citation Index (RCI) are obtained with patent analysis techniques. Fuzzy decision rules are collected and summarized from published literature. A case study on precast concrete technology (PCT) is conducted. Two construction firms are selected for case study to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method under different scenarios. It is concluded from the case study that the proposed method provides a useful and systematic approach for construction firm to plan effective technological strategies. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.