Characteristics of technology dependence in semiconductor technological alliance companies

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of technology dependence in semiconductor companies forming technological alliances from 1997 to 2010, the so-called 12-inch microchip era. The companies are classified into four types in the light of technological crowdedness and technological prestige: technological leaders, brokers of new technology, technological followers, and isolated companies. Then we examine the patent citation among these four technology network position in order to find out as well as to figure out which type of companies and what quality of patents in citation is more likely to form technological alliances. Finally, this study argues that relationships of technology dependence do not always promise technological alliance. Company position and patent quality in citation do not show similarities to technological alliance relationship. Besides, observing followers´ higher quality patents may help understand technological alliance relationship among them.