從網絡的結構分析探討「技術位置」與「技術角色」－－以保險商業方法專利為例

To Study the Technological Position and Technological Role by the Structure Analysis of Network-- Insurance Business Method Patents

位置與角色是網絡結構中的兩個重要分析概念。行動者的位置鑲嵌在網絡的結構之中，行動者的角色則由位置之間的關係模式突顯出。本研究認為位置的產生源自於行動者的行為結果，而位置的存在也形塑行動者的可能行為樣態。角色與位置之間的關係，應透過相互定義來完成。因此有別於過去的研究思路。本研究對技術網絡同時進行位置分析與角色分析。本研究擷取Anderson 等學者（1998）對於位置與角色的表述，對技術角色以「技術運用性」來解析，對技術位置以「技術鑲嵌性」來詮釋。技術位置與技術角色之間的關聯性以QAP 檢定。研究的結果，技術角色分類為四組，同時給於一個適當命名。技術位置分區為四區，並用角色命名來詮釋位置之間的關係模式。技術角色分組與技術位置分區的比對結果吻合度高，QAP 檢定的結果亦顯示兩者之間具有高度相關。進一步檢視位置之間的關係連結與其角色功能的扮演，亦符合實務現況。對此，本研究提出一些技術意涵的見解與探討。

The position and role are essential concept of network structure. The position of actors is embedded among the structure of network, and the role of actors is presented between positions. We argue that the position is generated by the result of actors’ behavior, and the existence of position will re-shape the mode of behavior of actors. Hence, the relationship of position and role is closely connected to the two reciprocal perspectives inherent from actors’ interaction, and shall be defined by each other. In contract to past literature, this paper analyzes the network structure by both position analysis and role analysis. This paper captures the definition of position and role by the concept of Anderson et al.(1998), and extents these to be as the technological embeddedness and the technological application, respectively. To exam the correlation between position and role, we use the QAP method. The result of this research found that there are 4 positions in the structure of technological network and their mutual relationship of each role have been discussed. The author also discussed some theoretical implication.