ABSTRACT
Like many other developed economies, Taiwan has been attempting to create a science-based production system since the 1980s to realise a technological-resilience-oriented growth engine for its economy. In its quest to remain competitive after its successful catching-up phase, the science-based production system was meant to induce a post-catching-up model that focused on specific sectors that have strategic potential in Taiwan’s unique position in the East Asian region. This study attempts to explore the scientific and technological activities, as well as derived niches and knowledge clusters in the post-catching-up development stage of Taiwan (2000–2018). Our study examines publishing and patenting data to assess the systemic development of science, technology and science-based technology of Taiwan. Thus, time series patenting and publishing trends in terms of scientific publications, granted patents, co-publishing (patenting) patterns, citations and science-based patents are used to elucidate the post-catching-up science and technology development trajectory of Taiwan. Though the study found that there was a decline observed in publishing and patenting, the increase in business-owned patents and collaboration with industry indicate a development strategy that is focused on commercialisation and reducing lead time to market.
