A roadmap for systematically identifying opportunities in geographically bounded ecosystems using patent analytics

Context-dependency (involving actors & regions) in spatially bounded ecosystems is a critical challenge that can constrain opportunity exploration for actors, and lead to both financial and reputational damages. The present methodological investigation proposes a novel context-independent roadmap for systematically identifying opportunities (e.g., technological forecasting, strategic planning) in spatially bounded ecosystems using the PatentsView database and analytics techniques. The Nordic low-emissions energy technologies9 are employed as a case in point to unravel operationalization processes associated with the proposed roadmap. The novelty of the proposed tool’s practical application provides actors of spatially bounded ecosystems with significant benefits with respect to resource saving, strategic planning, investment, and promulgation of innovation policy instruments.