Constructing Knowledge Landscapes Within the Framework of Geometrically Oriented Evolutionary Theories

Abstract

Virtual knowledge landscapes are constructed from empirical data to visualize and to understand search and innovation processes in science and technology. In this paper we discuss how geometrically oriented evolution theories (G_O_E_THE) may represent an appropriate framework for the empirical design of such knowledge landscapes as well as for theoretical explanations of observable, dynamic processes therein. G_O_E_THE describes evolution as a competitive hill-climbing process of different searchers or searching groups in an unknown adaptive landscape over a continuous characteristics space. In this chapter we discuss the application of this framework to the dynamics of national science systems in the international scientific communication system.