Analysis of country specialisation in bioelectronics with special focus on German activities

Abstract

This study analyses bioelectronics research activity, as an area of strategic importance for research policy, using bibliometric methods. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is used to visualise the structure of bioelectronics as represented by scientific literature. A country analysis of the USA, Japan, the European Union, Germany and the UK shows that Germany was considerably behind in its research in this field in the early 1980s but now demonstrates above-average activity. Independent experts found a need to improve organisational structure and co-operation between universities and industry in Germany. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.