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Patent portfolio diversity and firm profitability: A question of specialization or diversification?

Author

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  • Appio, Francesco P.
  • De Luca, Luigi M.
  • Morgan, Robert
  • Martini, Antonella

Abstract

The relationship between patent portfolio diversity and firm profitability is conceptually opaque and empirically equivocal. We contribute to the literature with a systematic analysis of this relationship by carrying out an empirical investigation based on a sample of 391 international firms. We generate data for patent portfolio diversity at the level of sections, classes, and sub-classes of the International Patent Classification. As moderators of this relationship, we test non-self forward citations (revealing a stream of knowledge between the firm and the outside) and non-self backward citations (assessing the firm's absorptive capacity). Findings highlight how the relationship between patent portfolio diversity and profitability is non-linear and differentially moderated by both the level of non-self forward and backward citations. Accordingly, implications for theory development and managerial decision making are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Appio, Francesco P. & De Luca, Luigi M. & Morgan, Robert & Martini, Antonella, 2019. "Patent portfolio diversity and firm profitability: A question of specialization or diversification?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 255-267.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:101:y:2019:i:c:p:255-267
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.04.020
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vera Ivanyuk, 2022. "Proposed Model of a Dynamic Investment Portfolio with an Adaptive Strategy," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(23), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Keungoui Kim & Alberto Nonnis & Altay Özaygen & Dieter F. Kogler, 2023. "Green-tech firm creation in Germany: the role of regional knowledge," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 97-120, March.
    3. Ai Linh Nguyen & Wenyuan Liu & Khiam Aik Khor & Andrea Nanetti & Siew Ann Cheong, 2022. "Strategic differences between regional investments into graphene technology and how corporations and universities manage patent portfolios," Papers 2208.03719, arXiv.org.
    4. Hoskins, Jake D. & Carson, Stephen J., 2022. "Industry conditions, market share, and the firm’s ability to derive business-line profitability from diverse technological portfolios," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 178-192.
    5. Changchun Li & Sen Wang, 2022. "Digital Optimization, Green R&D Collaboration, and Green Technological Innovation in Manufacturing Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Powell, K. Skylar & Lim, Eunah, 2022. "All or nothing: International coalitions responding to competing pressures in challenges to IP rights," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).
    7. Kim, Nami & Kim, Eonsoo & Lee, Jongseon, 2021. "Innovating by eliminating: Technological resource divestiture and firms’ innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 176-187.
    8. Papazoglou, Michalis E. & Spanos, Yiannis E., 2021. "“Influential knowledge and financial performance: The role of time and rivals’ absorptive capacity”," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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