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To what extent do SMEs contribute to Europe’s patent stock? A methodological outline for creating a Europe-wide SME technology indicator

Author

Listed:
  • Jan-Bart Vervenne

    (KU Leuven)

  • Julie Callaert

    (KU Leuven)

  • Machteld Hoskens

    (KU Leuven)

  • Bart Looy

    (KU Leuven
    KU Leuven)

Abstract

In this paper, we outline a methodology to assess the contribution of SMEs in corporate patenting for an extended set of European countries. The methodology consists of harmonizing, matching and disambiguating corporate applicant names from patent databases on the one hand and company names obtained from financial directories on the other hand. In order to address remaining gaps, additional sampling and extrapolation efforts are required to obtain reliable indicators. We propose a method to devise such additional efforts by means of stratified random sampling. Combining both approaches yields accurate indicators about the contribution of SMEs to the patent stock of the countries under study. The resulting indicators can be instrumental in guiding and assessing IPR and innovation policy initiatives at European and/or member state level.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan-Bart Vervenne & Julie Callaert & Machteld Hoskens & Bart Looy, 2022. "To what extent do SMEs contribute to Europe’s patent stock? A methodological outline for creating a Europe-wide SME technology indicator," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(6), pages 3049-3082, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:127:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s11192-022-04360-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04360-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology; SMEs; Patent indicators;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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