A Comparison between US and International Patent Classification as Input Data of a Technology Competition-Oriented Cluster Analysis

In a framework of a multivariate analysis of patent data this study applies a method of defining and analysing technology-based clusters of companies with the help of patent classification. In addition to the utilization of US patent classification we compare the results of a second analysis using the international patent classification. It is shown that the international patent classification is appropriate to conduct technology-oriented competition analyses, as long as a preparatory work of experts foregoes which classifies single classification symbols to technology fields as detailed as necessary to meet the demands of the individual analysis.