Analysing the dynamics of technological convergence using a co-classification approach: a case of healthcare services

Although the importance of technological convergence has increased, previous studies are highly dependent on static analysis. In response, this study suggests an index-based approach to identifying the dynamic trend of individual technologies, which enables the in-depth analysis for advances or declines of technological convergence. We suggest two types of indexes: fluctuation and continuity, and suggest eight sub-indexes to analyse the dynamic patterns of technological convergence for each international patent classification pair. As a result of case study, the frequency of technology convergence between data processing and diagnosis systems has highly increased over time. Treatment technologies and device-related technologies have experienced relatively high fluctuation. The frequency of convergence in water sterilising technology has continuously increased over time.