Comprehensive national-level technology adoption dataset (1720-2022)

Dataset Summary:

This collection presents a comprehensive dataset on global technology adoption and diffusion, meticulously compiled to enhance the understanding of technological spread over time and across different regions. It includes detailed records of technology adoption levels alongside extensive metadata, making it an invaluable resource for a wide range of analyses including technological impact assessment, diffusion pattern studies, and sector-specific technological advancements. The dataset spans 292 territories from 1720-2022.

Data Files:

TechnologyDataFull.csv: Captures technology adoption across various countries, organized in a long format representing different technologies. The dataset extends from historical to recent times allowing for an analysis of trends and patterns in technology uptake. This dataset is key for longitudinal studies of technology adoption.

TechnologyMetadata.csv: Complements the adoption data by providing contextual and detailed descriptive information on each technology. Key details include a common name (Tech_Name), a more detailed variant (Detailed_Tech_Name), sector affiliation, and the invention details (year and country), along with a unique identifier (Variable_ID) for each technology.

Technology_Data_Description.pdf: A descriptive document that provides an exhaustive overview of the datasets’ contents and structure. It details the data sources, the integration and normalization methods used to compile the datasets, and discusses the methodologies employed to ensure data accuracy and relevance.

Key Features:

- Detailed technological adoption data across a diverse array of global regions.
- Rich metadata that supports deeper analytical pursuits into technology diffusion.
- Documentation that outlines the datasets' compilation from 32 distinct international technology tracking initiatives for enhanced spatial and temporal coverage.

This dataset is designed to address spatial and temporal deficiencies found in previous compilations, thereby providing a more accurate representation of global technology distribution. It is suitable for researchers interested in the dynamics of technology diffusion, policy-making in technology governance, and strategic planning in technology development and deployment.