Measuring technology catching up of automotive industry in Thailand by text mining of patent information

Purpose This study endeavor aims to investigate the extent to which the Thai automotive industry has achieved technological parity with multinational firms operating within the nation. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used in this study uses text mining techniques applied to patent titles and abstracts. This approach facilitates the creation of a vector space representation of the patents. Patents are categorized according to applicant nationality (Thai or foreign) and submission time, differentiating between base and follow-on patents. The Foreign Effect Index quantifies the influence exerted by foreign patents on a specific patent, while the Local Impact Index measures the influence of a given patent on other related Thai patents. Findings The analysis reveals an evolving trend characterized by a decreasing foreign effect on Thai patents over time. This suggests a diminishing reliance on foreign technology for advancements. Conversely, an increasing local impact of Thai patents is observed, indicating a growing influence of domestic innovations on subsequent Thai patents. These findings collectively suggest discernible progress in the technological catching-up process within the Thai automotive industry. Research limitations/implications This study’s reliance on patent data constitutes a limitation, as it potentially excludes other relevant sources of innovation, such as trade secrets. Furthermore, the generalizability of the findings may be constrained to other industries or national contexts beyond the Thai automotive sector. Originality/value The originality and value of this study lie in its innovative methodological approach to measuring technology catching-up. By using text mining techniques on patent data, this research overcomes the limitations inherent in traditional methodologies that rely solely on patent citation analysis, which are less viable in contexts such as Thailand where citation data is limited. Furthermore, the introduction of novel patent quality indicators, reflecting technology cumulativeness and impact within the technology content space, constitutes a significant contribution. These metrics offer valuable insights into the dynamics of innovation, knowledge transfer and the role of foreign patents in fostering technological advancements within the Thai automotive industry.