Two faces of scientific knowledge in technological combination process

Scientific knowledge enhances the process of technological combination, which is key to generating breakthrough ideas. We propose complementary mechanisms of scientific knowledge associated with two technological search and combination processes: external search and inter-peer group search. We examine these complementary factors in the generation of technological outcomes by comparing between system-centric (hydrogen energy) and application-centric (nanotech) sectors. Data on US patents and their citations were collected to measure technological combination activities and degree of scientific knowledge in generating technological outcomes. We find that scientific knowledge has a complementary effect with external search in the system-centric sector and with inter-peer group search in the application-centric sector.