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Not invented here: technology licensing, knowledge transfer and innovation based on public research

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  • Guido Buenstorf
  • Matthias Geissler

Abstract

Using a new dataset encompassing more than 2,200 inventions made by Max Planck Society researchers from 1980 to 2004, we explore the way in which inventor, technology, and licensee characteristics affect the commercialization of academic inventions. We find limited evidence suggesting that domestic and external licensees outperform foreign licensees and inventor spin-offs in the commercialization of academic inventions. Controlling for selection, spin-offs are indistinguishable from external licensees. Patented technologies and inventions by senior scientists are more likely to be licensed, but patent protection is related to lower commercialization odds and royalty payments.
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  • Guido Buenstorf & Matthias Geissler, 2012. "Not invented here: technology licensing, knowledge transfer and innovation based on public research," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 481-511, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:22:y:2012:i:3:p:481-511
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-011-0261-1
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    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economic Development Technological Change, and Growth > Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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    1. Anja Schoen & Dominik Heinisch & Guido Buenstorf, 2014. "Playing the ‘Name Game’ to identify academic patents in Germany," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 101(1), pages 527-545, October.
    2. Gaétan de Rassenfosse & Kyle Higham, 2024. "Decentralising the patent system," Chapters, in: Walter G. Park (ed.), Handbook of Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights, chapter 8, pages 120-138, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Burhan, Muqbil & Singh, Anil K. & Jain, Sudhir K., 2017. "Patents as proxy for measuring innovations: A case of changing patent filing behavior in Indian public funded research organizations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 181-190.
    4. Buenstorf, Guido & Schacht, Alexander, 2013. "We need to talk – or do we? Geographic distance and the commercialization of technologies from public research," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 465-480.
    5. Zhijun Feng & Hechang Cai & Wen Zhou, 2020. "Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, March.
    6. Caviggioli, Federico & De Marco, Antonio & Montobbio, Fabio & Ughetto, Elisa, 2020. "The licensing and selling of inventions by US universities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    7. Stefan Krabel & Alexander Schacht, 2014. "Follow the leader? How leadership behavior influences scientists' commercialization behavior (or not)," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 134-160, March.
    8. Stefan Krabel & Alexander Schacht, 2012. "The Influence of Leadership on Academic Scientists' Propensity to Commercialize Research Findings," Jena Economics Research Papers 2012-027, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    9. Felicia Diana Nicoara & Dorin Maier & Andreea Maier, 2013. "General Aspects Related To The Technology Transfer, The Main Source Of Innovation And Development Among Economic Operators," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 139-147, August.
    10. Andreas Stephan, 2014. "Are public research spin-offs more innovative?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 353-368, August.
    11. Rockett, Katharine, 2012. "Perspectives on the knowledge-based society: An introduction to the special issue," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 6, pages 1-22.
    12. Marco, Antonio De & Scellato, Giuseppe & Ughetto, Elisa & Caviggioli, Federico, 2017. "Global markets for technology: Evidence from patent transactions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(9), pages 1644-1654.
    13. Almodóvar, Paloma & Nguyen, Quyen T.K. & Verbeke, Alain, 2021. "An integrative approach to international inbound sources of firm-level innovation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    14. Shan Jiang & Hsinchun Chen, 2019. "Examining patterns of scientific knowledge diffusion based on knowledge cyber infrastructure: a multi-dimensional network approach," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(3), pages 1599-1617, December.
    15. Wei Yang & Xiang Yu & Dian Wang & Jinrui Yang & Ben Zhang, 2021. "Spatio-temporal evolution of technology flows in China: patent licensing networks 2000–2017," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1674-1703, October.
    16. Musibau Akintunde Ajagbe & Joshua Olusola Olujobi & Anthony Akwawa Uduimoh & Lawrence Uchenna Okoye & Adunola Oluremi Oke, 2016. "Technology Based Entrepreneurship Financing. Lessons for Nigeria," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 6(1), pages 150-163, January.
    17. Alexander Schacht, 2012. "Commercializing inventions from public research: Does speed matter?," Jena Economics Research Papers 2012-026, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic inventions; Licensing; Technology transfer; Spin-off entrepreneurship; L26; O32; O34;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • 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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