The Production of Patents and Evolution of the Production of Knowledge around Snow Avalanches

Abstract

Scientific research on snow avalanches is relatively modern, yet in constant and rapid evolution, as the multiple disciplines involved in its development will, in turn, become more specialized and more technical. Patents are part of research and knowledge production. The scientific community and policy makers are increasingly interested in production of knowledge collaboratively. Almost all of the research being conducted on snow avalanches uses technology, technique or instrumentation. One main objective of this study is to draw from the literature the many technologies, techniques and instrumentations that are being used in research related to avalanches. Thus, a textual analysis of the most significant literature in the field of snow avalanches was done. In this analysis, techniques, technologies and instrumentations have emerged. A patent search has been done in databases. Subsequently, patents were conceptualized. The proportion of applicants for patents is higher in industry than in universities. The measure of exploration of the ongoing sociocognitive transformations of science and technology systems presents a useful tool to conduct a study to explore these transformations. It would be interesting for the scientific community, but also for the industry, to elaborate concept mapping when applied to avalanche research, which would help in determining referents.