To study the technological network by structural equivalence

The purpose of this paper is to study the position and role in the technological network by the concepts of structural equivalence. By means of procedures drawing on the notion of structural equivalence from social network analysis, a set of roles and positions of technological network are delineated. 4 technological roles are categorized in terms of the technological classification of patent. 4 technological positions are clustered on the basis of patent citation modes. Patents sufficiently similar in their citation patterns will be grouped into a block and be treated as equivalent. We argue that the relationships between positions and roles in the technological network are mutual. In addition, the positions in the network form a core and periphery structure. Some technology implications are discussed in the conclusion.