Analysis of patent management effects on technological innovation performance

Abstract

Purpose

Given the changing role of patents within enterprises, this research aims to investigate the link between patent management and technological innovation performance in Chinese high‐tech enterprises. Also, from theoretical underpinnings this study highlights the managerial implications of effective patent management which will lead to enhanced technological innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses related to patent management and technological innovation performance in Chinese high‐tech enterprises have been developed based on a review of the literature and related field interviews. Data has been collected from 118 high‐tech enterprises using questionnaires and analyzed using regression and SEM analysis.

Findings

Patent acquisition has a positive impact on both protection and commercialization of patents. Considered together, the combination of patent acquisition and commercialization has a positive impact on technological innovation performance in high‐tech enterprises. While patent protection positively affects patent commercialization, it has no direct effect on economic or societal performance. Therefore, the key factors to enhance the link between patent management and technological innovation performance of Chinese high‐tech enterprises are effective patent acquisition and subsequent commercialization.

Originality/value

From a resource‐based view, this paper delineates the concept of patent management and validates the link between patent management and technological innovation performance. To the authors' knowledge, it is a relatively new perspective to explore patent management based on a micro‐level.

Citation

Cao, Y. and Zhao, L. (2013), "Analysis of patent management effects on technological innovation performance", Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 286-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJOM-May-2012-0033