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Publishing, patenting, and standardization: Motives and barriers of scientists

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  • Blind, Knut
  • Pohlisch, Jakob
  • Zi, Aikaterini

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the motives and barriers of researchers to engage in standardization in comparison with publishing and patenting. We conduct a survey on 129 researchers at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, one of Germany’s largest federal research institutes. The resultant dataset enables us to study not only the researchers’ motives and barriers but also the effect of those motives and barriers on the extent to which the respective activities are undertaken. We find that publishing constitutes a baseline activity. By contrast, patenting is driven by commercialization motives, and standardization is mainly fostered by intrinsic motivation. With respect to the barriers, we find that they are mostly inherent to the activity itself or the system in which it is performed. Finally, we discuss several options to develop a more integrative incentive system to exploit the possible synergies between standardization and publishing and patenting.

Suggested Citation

  • Blind, Knut & Pohlisch, Jakob & Zi, Aikaterini, 2018. "Publishing, patenting, and standardization: Motives and barriers of scientists," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(7), pages 1185-1197.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:47:y:2018:i:7:p:1185-1197
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.03.011
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    8. Jonek-Kowalska, Izabela & Musioł-Urbańczyk, Anna & Podgórska, Marzena & Wolny, Maciej, 2021. "Does motivation matter in evaluation of research institutions? Evidence from Polish public universities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    9. René Lindner & Carmen Jaca & Josune Hernantes, 2021. "A Good Practice for Integrating Stakeholders through Standardization—The Case of the Smart Mature Resilience Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
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