Linking science and industry: influence of scientific research on technological innovation through patent citations

Abstract

This study explores the connection between patent citations and scientific publications across six fields: Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Analysing 117,590 papers from 2014 to 2023, the research emphasizes how publication year, open access (OA) status, and discipline influence patent citations. Openly accessible papers, particularly those in hybrid OA journals or green OA repositories, are significantly more likely to be cited in patents, seven times more than those mentioned in blogs, and over twice as likely compared to older publications. However, papers with policy-related references are less frequently cited, indicating that patents may prioritize commercially viable innovations over those addressing societal challenges. Disciplinary differences reveal distinct innovation patterns across sectors. While academic visibility via blogs or platforms like Mendeley increases within scholarly circles, these have a limited impact on patent citations. The study also finds that increased funding, possibly tied to applied research trends and fully open access journals, negatively affects patent citations. Social media presence and the number of authors have minimal impact. These findings highlight the complex factors shaping the integration of scientific research into technological innovations.