University Knowledge Spillover, Intellectual Property Protection, and Innovation Performance: Evidence from Chinese High-Tech Enterprises

Xinran Yang, Dashuai Huang and Bingfei Liu

SAGE Open, 2025, vol. 15, issue 3, 21582440251364044

Abstract: This study investigates how university knowledge spillovers and intellectual property (IP) protection jointly influence innovation performance in high-tech firms. Analysing an unbalanced panel dataset of China’s A-share listed companies (475 firms; 3,339 observations) and higher education institutions in Guangdong Province (2011–2020), we employ a Cobb-Douglas production function measured through total factor productivity. Empirical results reveal substantial heterogeneity in innovation levels across technology firms. Critically, university knowledge spillovers exhibit a significant positive effect on innovation performance, while IP protection exerts a negative moderating effect that attenuates spillover efficacy. These findings extend theoretical frameworks on knowledge spillovers and corporate innovation, refine understanding of IP governance trade-offs, and provide actionable evidence for corporate strategy and science policy design.

Keywords: knowledge spillover; intellectual property protection; innovation performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:21582440251364044

DOI: 10.1177/21582440251364044

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