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The role of domestic-firm knowledge in international patent collaborations: evidence from Indian firms

Author

Listed:
  • Nanditha Mathew

    (UNU-MERIT, United Nations University)

  • Lorenzo Napolitano

    (European Commission, Joint Research Center (JRC-Seville))

  • Ugo Rizzo

    (University of Ferrara)

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse the role of international patent collaborations in the performance of domestic firms and how the relationship is augmented by the pre-existing capabilities of the domestic firms. Using data on Indian firms, we study patterns of co-invention by Indian firms and foreign partners. The results confirm the crucial role played by the absorptive capacity of domestic firms in enhancing benefits from patent collaborations. Strikingly, we find that the coefficient associated to foreign collaboration has a positive effect on performance only when complemented with previous innovative capabilities. The evidence we present in this work contributes to existing knowledge on the microeconomics behind the process of technological capability accumulation and catching up in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Nanditha Mathew & Lorenzo Napolitano & Ugo Rizzo, 2024. "The role of domestic-firm knowledge in international patent collaborations: evidence from Indian firms," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(3), pages 1089-1112, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:49:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10961-023-10017-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-023-10017-x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Co-patenting; Foreign collaboration; Absorptive capacity; Capability accumulation; Corporate performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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