Innovation patterns in the Internet of Things: A patent based analysis Advert Reference: SEL17/BUS/WHALLEY)

Faculty: Business & Law

Department: Business & Management

Project Description:

The Internet of Things is being heralded as the ‘next big thing’ that will, through its pervasiveness, radically disrupt how we collect, analyse and then data. As up to 50 billion devices are deployed, new business models will emerge in areas as diverse as infrastructure (smart grids, smart cities), personal technology (smart wearables) and the home (smart home). Although there has been lots of interest in the Internet of Things, its embryonic nature means that much of this interest is speculative in character – it is not clear who will deploy the devices (connections), how much revenue each will generate and who will have access to the data that is collected.

Notwithstanding these uncertainties, many companies have begun to explore how they can utilise the Internet of Things to enhance their competitiveness. The Internet of Things may allow them to reorganise their operations, develop new products and services as well as collect large amounts of data. One way to understand how companies are embracing the Internet of Things is to analyse their patents. Patents are a product of a company’s research and development expenditure, and shed some light on those areas that they view as being important.

This project will analyse patents in the area of the Internet of Things. It will explore how companies are patenting in the area of a broadly defined Internet of Things, both in general and in respect to key potentially disruptive areas such as smart cities, smart homes etc. A key question that the project will address is who is acquiring Internet of Things patents, and whether companies are building a portfolio in areas that they already operate in or are expanding into new areas. The analysis will be both sectoral and geographical, thereby enabling insights into national competitiveness to be gleaned. This will help understand whether the increasing efforts of national governments, as well as supra-national organisations like the European Union, to develop competences in the Internet of Things to enhance national and regional competences have been successful.

The successful applicant will be part of the ‘Digital Business: Internet of Things’ research group. This multi-disciplinary group is researching how the Internet of Things is emerging, in terms of the supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem and its deployment within sectors such as urban infrastructure and healthcare.

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Start Date: 2 October 2017

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