近幾年來，區塊鏈技術及其應用儼然成為當代社會中眾所注目的新興趨勢之一，這些焦點涵蓋了虛擬貨幣與各種應用場景，例如智能合約、權益證明（proof of stake）、以及區塊鏈規模化（Blockchain scaling）等。區塊鏈技術持續地被探索著，迄今為止的應用場景主要是聚焦於區塊鏈的核心價值，以中心化、分散式、共享以及加密後的特徵為基礎延伸，作為一種不可逆而且無法竄改的公共資訊庫。
雖然社會上經常討論著區塊鏈的潛力，然而對於經理人與決策者而言，如何管理區塊鏈應用仍然被視為是一項挑戰。據此，本研究目的在於建立一種用於理解與預測區塊鏈技術應用之類型學。在此研究方法中，從美國專利商標局（USPTO）檢索出自2008至2017年間與區塊鏈有關的369件專利申請案，並嘗試對這些專利的重要因子歸納出一個概括性脈絡，用以建立一種針對區塊鏈技術與應用的分析框架。本研究不僅具體地提出組織與創新研究中的潛在研究議題，也能作為未來在金融、供應鏈以及健康照護領域等實務應用中的參考指標。

There is considerable and growing interest in the emergence of Blockchain technology and its applications in contemporary society. This includes either cryptocurrency or new implementations such as smart contracts, proof of stake, and the latest Blockchain scaling. The technology remains to be explored, and the applications to date have mainly focused on elaborating the decentralized, distributed, shared, and encrypted database of Blockchain’s key features that serve as an irreversible and incorruptible public repository of information. Although its potential is often discussed, Blockchain application governance remains a challenge for business managers and policymakers. Accordingly, this study aims to develop a typology for understanding and appreciating the applications of Blockchain technology. Specifically, we search 369 Blockchain patent applications from 2008 to 2017 collected from the USPTO and try to identify common patterns to develop a distinctive framework for analysis. Our study provides potential research agendas for organization and innovation studies, as well as practical implication ranging from finance, supply chain, and healthcare to music and energy.

ABSTRACT ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii
1. INTRODUCTION - 1 -
2. LITERATURE REVIEW - 3 -
2.1 What is Blockchain? - 3 -
2.2 Implementation, Challenge, and Uncertainty - 5 -
2.3 Patenting for Blockchain Technology - 8 -
3. RESEARCH METHOD - 10 -
3.1 Approach for Developing a Typology - 10 -
3.2 Data Source and Analysis - 14 -
4. ANALYSIS - 18 -
4.1 Two Dimensions - 18 -
4.1.1 Technological Intensity - 20 -
4.1.2 Number of Adopters - 21 -
4.2 Four Quadrants - 23 -
4.2.1 Quadrant I: Single Use - 23 -
4.2.2 Quadrant II: Foundation - 23 -
4.2.3 Quadrant III: Diffusion - 24 -
4.2.4 Quadrant IV: Transformation - 25 -
5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION - 26 -
REFERENCES - 30 -
APPENDICES - 41 -

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