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Measuring knowledge spillovers: What patents, licenses and publications reveal about innovation diffusion

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  • Nelson, Andrew J.

Abstract

Measurement of knowledge spillovers remains an important challenge. While patent citation analyses are one common empirical approach, questions persist about their efficacy and potential biases. In an effort to assess various measures of knowledge diffusion, this paper compares patent data surrounding recombinant DNA technology to licenses and publications building on the same technology. Evaluation of these measures highlights errors of both omission and over-representation in each measure, and reveals potential biases tied to organizational age and location. The results suggest that studies of knowledge diffusion can be strengthened dramatically by drawing upon multiple indicators.

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Bibliographic Info

Article provided by Elsevier in its journal Research Policy.

Volume (Year): 38 (2009)
Issue (Month): 6 (July)
Pages: 994-1005

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Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:38:y:2009:i:6:p:994-1005

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Web page: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/respol

Related research

Keywords: Patents Licenses Publications Innovation diffusion Knowledge spillovers;

References

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Citations

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Cited by:
  1. De Fuentes, Claudia & Dutrénit, Gabriela, 2011. "SMEs´ absorptive capacities and large firms´ knowledge spillovers: Micro evidence from Mexico," CIRCLE Electronic Working Papers 2011/1, Lund University, CIRCLE - Center for Innovation, Research and Competences in the Learning Economy.
  2. ZHAO Ting & ZHAO Wei, 2012. "Dynamic Externalities and Manufacturing Productivity: An empirical comparison among China's top three municipalities," Discussion papers 12072, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
  3. Haeussler, Carolin & Colyvas, Jeannette A., 2011. "Breaking the Ivory Tower: Academic Entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences in UK and Germany," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 41-54, February.
  4. Jian Li & Kunrong Shen & Ru Zhang, 2011. "Measuring Knowledge Spillovers: A Non-appropriable Returns Perspective," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 12(2), pages 265-293, November.
  5. Grimaldi, Rosa & Kenney, Martin & Siegel, Donald S. & Wright, Mike, 2011. "30 years after Bayh-Dole: Reassessing academic entrepreneurship," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(8), pages 1045-1057, October.

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