A spatial–temporal network analysis of patent transfers from U.S. universities to firms

Tao Hu and Yin Zhang ()
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Tao Hu: Harvard University
Yin Zhang: Kent State University

Scientometrics, 2021, vol. 126, issue 1, No 2, 27-54

Abstract: Abstract Universities play an important role in innovation development and are being recognized as a critical element for the global competitiveness of firms. However, there have been very few large-scale empirical studies using public patent transfer datasets to examine patent transfers from universities to firms. This study proposes a workflow that maps and integrates U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued patent records with patent assignment datasets to result in the study data covering patents and their transfer transactions from 1990 to 2016. This study focuses on patent transfers from U.S. universities for a spatial–temporal analysis at three levels: institutional, state, and national. In addition, the study identifies a technology-oriented network among universities, firms, and technological areas and supports the notion that patent transfers coincide with the development and change of a local region and are affected and driven by policies, economic development, and cultural factors. This study reveals that the geographical distance of patent transfers has been shortened over time, suggesting more local and regional collaborations among universities and businesses. The results of the study can help identify emerging development fields in a given region, potentially leading to policy applications for research and development, strategic planning, and building effective collaboration networks between universities and businesses.

Keywords: Patent transfer; University technology transfer; Spatial–temporal analysis; Network analysis; Firms; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); 62-07 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O30 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03745-6

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