The Hidden Links Between Science, Production, and Technology
April 1, 2025
April 1, 2025 ・ minutes reading time
New technologies do not develop in isolation. Their growth is shaped by related scientific, production, and other technological knowledge, forming a web of interconnected skills. Connections between fields of innovation can be mapped by examining the co-occurrence of capabilities that are not randomly distributed. Instead, these capabilities cluster together in predictable ways, revealing underlying structures within innovation ecosystems. Identifying these patterns helps uncover how certain fields reinforce one another and how knowledge, skills, and technologies co-evolve, influencing how innovation unfolds.
What drives technological skills?
Technological skills (measured with international patent families) are crucial because they encompass some of the most complex capabilities in innovation. These skills serve as the foundation for breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced materials. Understanding the drivers of these capabilities reveals how scientific, production, and technological domains interact to create new technologies.
Scientific knowledge as a key driver
Strong scientific foundations (measured with international scientific publications) help transform discoveries into real-world applications. Certain scientific fields play a stronger role in shaping technological capabilities:
- Engineering, chemistry, and technology are the scientific domains most closely connected to technological developments, acting as the primary drivers for technological progress.
- Within technologies, fields like engineering and technology-related disciplines are most influenced by scientific research, showing how advancements in knowledge spark new innovations.
The role of production capabilities
Production capabilities (measured with international exports) play a significant role in fostering technological capabilities, especially through the process of "learning by exporting”. As industries expand their global presence and compete in international markets, they gain valuable insights and knowledge, which in turn help drive technological innovation:
- Machinery and transport equipment exports are particularly relevant in driving technological development, highlighting the importance of industrial expertise in turning knowledge into scalable technologies.
The Interdependence of Technologies
Some technologies evolve by building on existing technological capabilities, creating intricate, interconnected fields that require continuous development:
- ICTs, semiconductors, and audiovisual technologies are especially dependent on other technological fields, making them complex and highly interlinked. These fields do not only depend on internal advancements but also drive growth across a broad range of industries, acting as catalysts for technological and economic progress.
Unveiling patterns in innovation
Understanding how scientific, production, and technological capabilities interact is essential for guiding technological growth. Mapping these connections uncovers strategic pathways that can be leveraged to accelerate innovation, enhance competitiveness, and unlock new areas of technological development. By recognizing which fields act as foundational enablers and how capabilities co-evolve, innovation ecosystems can be strengthened intentionally rather than left to chance. This insight is crucial for making informed decisions about investments, policy design, and capacity building, ultimately driving sustainable technological progress.
