Assessing the knowledge-building dynamics of countries in the formation of emerging fields: A bibliometric approach on iPS cells

This paper seeks to demonstrate a method for assessing the dynamics of the knowledge-building of countries active in the formation of technological fields at early stages of development. The empirical case of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, a newly discovered stem cell species, is chosen. Conceptually, we visualize knowledge-building efforts surrounding an emerging field as involving the formation of knowledge networks. According to the way countries participate in these knowledge networks, insights into their knowledge-building dynamics can be gained. Three types of dynamics are evaluated in this study: `knowledge exploration´, `knowledge nurturing´, and `knowledge exploitation´. For that purpose, an integrated and multi-dimensional bibliometric mapping approach encompassing both the intellectual bases and research fronts, and a conflated techno-scientific layer is used. Three types of networks were built: bibliographic coupling, co-citation clustering, and citing-cited networks; each network for each of the dynamics analyzed in this paper. By looking beyond the simplistic façade of general bibliometric indicators, the results of this paper are believed to provide a more complex picture of the dynamics involved in potentially rewarding emerging fields.