Selection of Innovative Technologies in Greenhouse Systems: A Multi-Criteria Approach Based on Patent Data
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The ever-increasing pace of technological development has led to shorter lifecycles for technological projects, making it crucial for researchers and technology companies to carefully consider when, where, and how much to invest. Moreover, the current trend of technological research and innovation transitioning from within a single sector to a more interdisciplinary and collaborative framework involving multiple companies and groups heightens the necessity for businesses to gather information to identify collaboration areas and potential partners. In this context, for an organization working in a certain field and aiming to innovate, the question of which technologies it should invest in to take its work forward is among the most important problems of innovation today. This study proposes an innovative and objective method for selecting technologies by leveraging patent data, data mining algorithms, and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques. The research focuses on greenhouse technologies, a vital area within agricultural innovation, and uses patent data to identify promising technological directions. Patent records from the European Patent Office (EPO) were collected using a custom software tool that queries patents within the CPC classification Y02A40/25 (Greenhouse Technologies). After cleaning the data, the FP-Growth algorithm was applied to identify frequently co-occurring technology classifications. Five key criteria were used to evaluate these technology pairs: support value (frequency), average patent age, average forward citations, average backward citations, and the average patent strength of leading applicant companies. Using the Entropy Weight method, objective weights were assigned to each criterion. The TOPSIS method was then applied to rank the identified technology pairs in terms of their overall suitability for investment and innovation. The results indicated that greenhouse cultivation (A01G9), hydroponic farming (A01G31), plant processing (A01G7), agriculture-related technologies (Y02P60), and business-specific software systems (G06Q50) are the most strategic areas for innovation. Notably, the inclusion of G06Q50 underscores the growing importance of software and digital infrastructure in greenhouse innovation. This suggests that companies aiming to advance in this field should not only enhance their core greenhouse technologies but also invest in complementary software and algorithmic solutions. In conclusion, the study presents a novel framework for technology selection that can guide R&D investment decisions using patent data, especially in sectors where innovation plays a critical role.
Authors: Ali Kılıç, Hakan Eren, Uğur Göçen
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7136824322