Identifying key technologies in Saskatchewan, Canada: Evidence from patent information

This study attempts to identify the areas of technological strength of the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, whose economy is heavily based on natural resources, by analyzing patent information. 606 US patents held by Saskatchewan organizations were identified. The results show that inventive activities are steadily growing and Saskatchewan’s technological development has experienced three stages. The Initial stage (1971–1985) was dominated by traditional resource-based technologies; the Emerging stage (1986–1995) was characterized by the emergence of new technologies in the Drugs & Medical field; and the Developing stage (1996–2009) was marked by more of a balance between traditional and new technologies. In Canada and worldwide, inventive activities in Computers & Communication field have been most prominent since the last decade. However, Saskatchewan demonstrates a different path from the rest of the world. While traditional technological fields still dominate in the province, it is gradually building its strength in the Drugs & Medical field. The results present a possibility to diversify the provincial economy if policy makers develop strategies to facilitate the transfer of new technologies to industries.

► Identify areas of technological strength of the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. ► Three stages: the Initial stage (1971–1985), the Emerging stage (1986–1995) and the Developing stage (1996–2009). ► Key technologies: agricultural, drugs & medical, and mechanical fields. ► Better balance between traditional resource-based and new technologies. ► Developing strategies for transfer of new technologies is key policy issue.