This paper proposes an approach to analyzing the relationship between technology and services, and to identifying promising service areas for technology-based firms with the analysis of business model (BM) patents. First, BM patents and technology patents are collected and classified into their relevant categories, respectively. Second, patent citation analysis is conducted to analyze the linkage and impacts between each technology and service field at macro level. Third, as a micro level

more »

... is, patent co-classification analysis is employed to identify the interrelationships among specific technology and service areas. Finally, the promising service areas for technology-based firms seeking service areas for diversification is investigated with portfolio analysis. The working of the proposed approach is provided with the help of a case study of IT and mobile services. The proposed approach could guide and help managers of technology-based firms to discover the opportunity of the diversification to new areas in emerging service fields.