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Impact of national university patenting on innovation: Researcher analysis in Japan

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  • Motohashi, Kazuyuki
  • Ikeuchi, Kenta
  • Kwon, Seokbeom

Abstract

This study addresses the impact of national university ownership of patents on the quantity and quality of university patents. We constructed researcher-level patent data with detailed information on their affiliations, and the difference-in-differences (DID) model was applied to determine the change in patent characteristics of national university researchers when the institutional ownership of intellectual property rights at national universities was allowed in 2004. An increase in university patenting has a significant impact on subsequent innovation, as observed by its forward citation, particularly by firms without prior university collaborations.

Suggested Citation

  • Motohashi, Kazuyuki & Ikeuchi, Kenta & Kwon, Seokbeom, 2025. "Impact of national university patenting on innovation: Researcher analysis in Japan," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:81:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x24003543
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102806
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    JEL classification:

    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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