The impact of intellectual property rights protection on enhancing the value of OCOP products in Vietnam

In the context of globalization and rural economic restructuring, intellectual property rights (IPR) are increasingly regarded as a strategic instrument for enhancing the value of agricultural and local specialty products. This study examines the impact of IPR protection on the multidimensional value of products under Vietnam’s “One Commune One Product” (OCOP) program. Building on the theoretical foundations of property rights, intangible assets, competitive advantage, community-based development, and sustainability, the research model incorporates three value dimensions - economic, social, and environmental - while testing the mediating roles of governance capacity and innovation capability, as well as the moderating effect of policy-legal frameworks. Using survey data from 370 OCOP entities, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple regression were employed. The results reveal that IPR protection exerts positive and statistically significant effects across all three dimensions, with the strongest impact on social value, followed by economic and environmental value. Governance and innovation capabilities further mediate the translation of IPR into tangible outcomes, while supportive institutional frameworks amplify these effects. The findings underscore that IPR serves not only as a legal safeguard but also as a driver of competitiveness, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, thereby providing critical policy implications for maximizing the value of OCOP products and strengthening their position in the process of international integration.