Building a framework for patent analysis in data driven foresight - A use case focused conclusion

Since patents reflect technological advances and the advent of possible applications, they are an important source for data driven foresight, the scientific field of gathering insight into the future by analysing data (publications, patents, job postings etc.). This contribution marks the endpoint of two previous contributions, which dealt with the dataset and method of combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of publications to determine the data-driven methods used for patent analysis for technology foresight [Martini and John 2022, 2023]. With this conclusive contribution we want to present a framework for determining the state of the art utilizing patent data in different use cases. This framework is designed to assist practitioners in three ways. First, it provides an overview of various use cases and methods. Second, it aids in evaluating which use cases can be addressed directly and which would require additional effort. Third, from an academic perspective, it helps identify gaps in the data and methods used. In addition to use cases involving the analysis of technologies, we will also consider use cases regarding stakeholders and market analysis using patent data. After constructing the framework, we will also determine the focus areas of the Northern European countries with respect to the use cases addressed. The overall results will represent the last step of a multi-perspective, use case-driven, bibliometric-enhanced, systematic literature review, which can then also be transferred to other research fields.