Detection of paradigm shifts and emerging fields using scientific network: A case study of Information Technology for Engineering

Detection of emerging fields in any industry is of great importance to the industrialists, engineers and policy makers of business as well as state administration. Exact awareness of the paradigm which governs current research activities and chances of likely paradigm shifts which could redefine the research approaches, is very crucial for the actors of scientific community and policy makers. Excellent technologies in IT, even accelerated the scientific and applied ontological pursuit in both academia as well as industry. In this work, network approach is advocated for the identification of innovations, new paradigms and emerging fields in the IT industry in the research area 'engineering'. The network is a scientific network of research publications which reflects the volume and flow of scientific activities. Centrality analysis, path analysis, cluster analysis, etc. are used to identify the key papers of paradigm shifts, emerging fields, relatively important clusters and works respectively. A new metric, flow vergence index is devised for cluster analysis. The paradigm shift identified from this network is RFID technology, related with the supply chain management. With proper economic and policy supports, there are some good reasons to look forward for more wonders from the industry.