Blockchain Technology and Digital Intellectual Property Management: A Dual-Corpus Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Trends, Knowledge Structures

This study explores the application and evolution of blockchain technology in Digital Intellectual Property Management (DIPM) through a systematic bibliometric and comparative analysis. By adopting a dual-corpus research design, consisting of a Main Corpus (MC) focusing on blockchain-enabled DIPM research and a Benchmark Corpus (BC) representing leading blockchain research in computer science. It examines the differences in knowledge structure, methodological paradigm, and application patterns between blockchain-enabled DIPM research and overall blockchain technology development. Using general publication trend analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, a methodology–application scenario matrix, and cross-industry application pattern analysis, this study reveals significant structural divergences between the two corpora. The results show that BC emphasizes upstream, technology-centric research on blockchain infrastructure, protocols, and performance optimization, while MC reflects a downstream, application-driven, and institutionally embedded research trajectory addressing digital rights governance, privacy protection, and organizational coordination. Methodologically, this study uses quantitative research and relevant indicators to support its conclusions. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the evolution of blockchain technology in DIPM through bibliometric and dual-corpus comparative analysis., highlighting its transition from technical innovation to governance-oriented integration and providing valuable insights for future research and practice in this interdisciplinary field. JEL Classification: O32 Management of Technological Innovation and R&D, O34 Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital, O36 Open Innovation