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Trademarks as an indicator of regional innovation: Evidence from Japanese prefectures

Author

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  • Joern Block

    (Faculty of Management, Trier University / Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) and Erasmus Institute of Management (ERIM), Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Christian Fisch

    (Faculty of Management, Trier University / Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) and Erasmus Institute of Management (ERIM), Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Kenta Ikeuchi

    (Research Institute of Economy, and Trade and Industry (RIETI))

  • Masatoshi Kato

    (School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University)

Abstract

Regional science has long been concerned with measuring the spatial distribution of innovation activity. While patents are frequently used as an indicator of regional innovation, we introduce trademarks as an additional indicator. Specifically, we explore the spatial distribution of trademark applications using a detailed and comprehensive dataset of 47 Japanese prefectures from 1999 to 2012. In addition to mapping differences in trademarks across regions, we identify correlates at the regional level that provide initial insights into potential determinants of regional innovation. For example, regional trademark activity is positively associated with regional entrepreneurship and with strong private service and finance sectors. Overall, our results reveal associations unique to trademarks that patent-based measures of innovation cannot uncover. With these results, we contribute to research in regional science and to the evolving literature on trademarks of this discipline.

Suggested Citation

  • Joern Block & Christian Fisch & Kenta Ikeuchi & Masatoshi Kato, 2019. "Trademarks as an indicator of regional innovation: Evidence from Japanese prefectures," Discussion Paper Series 200, School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kgu:wpaper:200
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    Cited by:

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    2. Crosby, Lawrence A. & Ghanbarpour, Tohid, 2023. "The Drucker intangibles measurement system: An academic perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    3. Yuxuan Ma & Lei Wang & Di Hu & Yaoqing Ge & Junzhu Zuo & Tian Lan, 2023. "Analysis of spatial patterns of technological innovation capability based on patent data in Jiangsu province, China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. El¿bieta Roszko-Wójtowicz & Barbara Dañska-Borsiak & Maria M. Grzelak & Aleksandra Pleœniarska, 2022. "In search of key determinants of innovativeness in the regions of the Visegrad group countries," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1015-1045, December.
    5. Carolina Castaldi, 2024. "The geography of urban innovation beyond patents only: New evidence on large and secondary cities in the United States," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(7), pages 1248-1272, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trademarks; regional innovation; Japan; prefectures; spatial distribution; patents.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L80 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - General
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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