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Characterising science-industry patent collaborations: knowledge base, impact and economic value

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  • Ugo RIZZO
  • Valerio STERZI

Abstract

In this article, we analyse the characteristics of science-industry patents with respect to non-collaborative industry patents and industry-industry collaborative patents. This analysis covers patents filed in the years 1978-2015 (and granted up to 2020) at the European Patent Office (EPO) in four large European countries (Germany, France, Italy and the UK) and in the US. We consider three dimensions to assess the characteristics of patents: the knowledge base, the technological impact, and the economic value. Science-industry collaborative patents are averagely more sophisticated and similar or higher impact than other industry patents. However, depending on the proxy chosen, they are of similar or lower economic value compared to non-collaborative industry patents and to industry-industry collaborative patents. When we control for the experience of private companies in collaborating with academic institutions, we observe that more experienced collaborations produce slightly less sophisticated and impactful patents, but with higher economic value. We discuss different explanations of these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Ugo RIZZO & Valerio STERZI, 2022. "Characterising science-industry patent collaborations: knowledge base, impact and economic value," Bordeaux Economics Working Papers 2022-15, Bordeaux School of Economics (BSE).
    • Handle: RePEc:grt:bdxewp:2022-15
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University patent; patent value; patent collaboration; Science-Industry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • 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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