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Purpose: This study aims to analyse the intellectual property rights (INPR), foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and technological exports of 32 developing and developed countries for the period of 2006–2020. Design/methodology/approach: Diagnostic tests were used to confirm the panel least squares, fixed effect, random effect, feasible general least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares and fully modified ordinary least squares estimator results as well as to increase the robustness. Findings: According to the findings for the developing countries, trademark, patent and industrial design applications, each had a significant positive long-run effect on FDI inflows. In addition, there was a significant positive long-run relationship between patent applications and medium- and high-technology exports. Meanwhile, trademark and industrial design applications had a significant negative long-term effect on medium- and high-technology exports. In developed countries, patent and industrial design applications each have a significant negative long-term on medium- and high-technology exports. Furthermore, patent and trademark applications each had a significant negative long-run effect on FDI inflows. Originality/value: This study contributes significantly to the focus that host countries evaluate the technology gaps between domestic and foreign investors at different industry levels to select the best INPR rules and innovation process by increasing international cooperation. Furthermore, the host countries should follow the structure–conduct–performance paradigm based on analysis of the market structure, strategic firms and industrial dynamics systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The university-industry contractual research collaborations to solve complex problems jointly and create social and economic impact have long existed. Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) constitute formal technology intermediaries established to strengthen university-industry collaborations. However, the differences in needs and capabilities, individual and organizational backgrounds, and innovative learning modes inhibit effective partnerships. We develop a conceptual framework that explains how TTOs can catalyze these collaborations in Botswana. We use the grounded theory approach to examine the TTOs' challenges and opportunities in strengthening university-industry linkages. Notably, we employ inductive analysis to synthesize interview data and analyze it using domain analysis and componential analysis. Data were extracted from the university and industry policies and documents and interviews with 102 participants from two universities (42.2%) and three industry firms (57.8%) involved in technology transfer. We found 71.6% had excellent knowledge and experience and 28.4% had varying degrees of experience. While individual or independent consultancies (44.1%) lead, TTOs facilitate collaboration through contractual research agreements (32.4%), technology licensing (22.5%), and joint ventures (10.8%). This demonstrates entities' significant access to each other's financial and technological resources. This allows entities to generate new knowledge, equip each other with tools and competencies required to produce commercial products and new revenue streams. Most significantly, while Botswana has displayed remarkable progress toward strengthening its institutional support systems for technology transfer and commercialization, there is a shortage of IP expertise at universities and industries, possibly leading to low levels of IP awareness. Also, most institutions have incomplete IP strategies, and there is inadequate administration and enforcement of intellectual property rights systems at the national level, possibly contributing to low national IP filings. Therefore, we recommend entities fully engage in vigorous IP activities, review and finalize their IP policies and make them flexible yet equitably based on the needs of the collaborating industry firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protect firms from imitation and are considered crucial to promoting innovation and technological diffusion. This paper examines the impact of IPR on import-sourcing decisions of multinational firms. We consider a framework in which firms offshore production of an intermediate good to another country. Firms can decide either to import the intermediate good from vertically integrated producers, or from independent suppliers. In both cases, offshoring part of the production process embodies a risk of imitation. The model predicts that, under reasonable parameter restrictions, stronger IPR disproportionately encourages the imports of intermediate goods through vertical integration. Using the US Related-Party Trade database, we find empirical evidence supportive of the positive link between level of IPR and the share of imports from vertically integrated manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From an empirical perspective and using some historical elements, we speculate about the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the information and communications technology paradigm in the context of production fragmentation and global value chains and the challenges they impose on learning. We use an evolutionary economics framework to understand the importance of 'learning' in a competitive economy where firms that absorb knowledge increase their opportunities to innovate and to obtain larger market shares. Exploring data from Brazil and South Korea we find similarities in both countries regarding the intellectual property (IP) balance of payments: both have an IP balance of payments deficit. However, data from national IPRs offices shows that residents in South Korea are more apt to generate knowledge than residents in Brazil, which can be attributed to the difference in importance given by these countries to their industrial policies and the way both have integrated global value chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of intellectual property rights (IPR) on the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) has resulted in discursive contestation. On the one hand, the IPR regime is regarded as a catalyst to ESTs transfer. On the other hand, the IPR regime itself is argued to work as a barrier to the transfer of ESTs to developing countries. This contestation moved to another layer of discussion concerning what to do about the current IPR regime and the climate change regime that overlap on the subject matter of technology transfer. The IPR-as-a-catalyst approach prefers the IPR regime to remain as the status quo and that the climate change regime construct an enabling environment by lowering the transaction costs of technology transfer and enhancing the regulatory capacity of developing countries. On the contrary, skeptics of the role of the IPR regime in ESTs transfer prefer an active utilization of the flexible mechanisms of the IPR regime and more interventionist actions by the climate change regime for effective IPR-sharing. Regarding this bi-polar contestation, this paper analyzes why and where this discursive contestation occurs based on the economic theories of market failure. The benefits and difficulties of remedial institutional approaches to tackle market failures are explored; then, complementary institutional designs in compatibility with the IPR regime and in response to market failures are explored with exemplary cases under the climate change regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the development and transfer of climate change technologies has been a contentious issue in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Irreconcilable differences seem to oppose those who believe IPRs are an inherent barrier to the transfer of climate change technologies and those who argue they are an essential incentive to innovation. After providing an overview of the polarized debate on this issue, this article reviews the existing literature and empirical evidence and looks into some practical initiatives and recent developments. Finally, it seeks to identify a way forward that could help overcome the current stalemate in international deliberations by suggesting a number of parameters to structure the discussion on this complex issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkey, most university administrators and academic staff members are not yet fully aware of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Researchers often have difficulty in licensing opportunities that can provide additional revenue streams due to the lack of either strategic policies set by the administration or a dedicated technology transfer (or licensing) office (TTO). This paper attempts to shed some light on the relationship between intellectual property rights and licensing awareness in Turkish universities as well as how this is affected by the lack of TTOs. Semi-structured exploratory interviews were conducted with 45 researchers in two different faculties (Medicine and Engineering). Results show that most of the participants, including a higher-than-expected percentage from the Faculty of Engineering, were not aware of the importance of the technology that they had developed in terms of licensing and royalties that they could earn. In conclusion, it can be said that universities in Turkey have to undergo a policy change regarding managerial issues, especially with regards to Technology Transfer Offices. Increasing the visibility of technology transfer options and agreements, as well as further research on this topic, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transfer of technology from developed to the developing countries plays an important role in meeting the technological needs of the latter. A strict patent regime adopted by a developing country encourages the transfer of the latest technology from the developed world. At the same time however, such a regime impedes the spread of the technology within the developing country through spillovers. This paper examines the welfare effects of technology policy of a developing country, which depends on both the technology transferred as well as the spillover of knowledge from such transfers. Situating the model in a welfare maximizing framework, we show that there are gains as well as losses from a stricter patent regime, which underlines the case for an optimal technology policy that may involve a semi strong patent regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement has as a stated goal to increase the transfer of technology to the developing world. In the debate surrounding the merits of reforming intellectual property rights (IPR) law, it is important to ask if TRIPS is accomplishing its goal: does the agreement actually allow poorer nations greater access to technology and innovation, or is it simply a boon to the developed world? After reviewing several dozen empirical studies from the field of economics, it is shown that a positive, statistically significant relationship exists between stronger IPR protection and higher levels of technology diffusion, with three caveats. First, the evidence is suggestive, but problems in data, measurement, and statistical methods render the results less convincing. Second, the positive effect does not seem to hold for extremely impoverished countries and in some cases may be negative. Third and finally, it is always important to examine data disaggregated by industry since IPR protection affects various sectors differently. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Traditionally, governments have viewed enforcement of intellectual property rights as a purely domestic matter. With the rise of transnational corporations and the "globalization" of the economy, protection of intellectual property rights ("IPRs") are becoming ever increasing and complex. This is especially true in the medical and pharmaceutical industry, where IPRs are often viewed secondary to public health interests. While protection of a population at the expense of inventors sometimes seems compelling, all too often these arguments are manipulated to the detriment of the inventor and ultimately, the public. This paper explores the problems, current state of affairs, and solutions regarding technology transfer of the medical and pharmaceutical industry in an international context. Particular emphasis is placed on the problems of parallel or "gray market" importing, enforcement of rights among different jurisdictions, and public health-based compulsory licensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of defense in national innovation systems is highly topical, because of the complexity of defense systems and the desire to get value‐for‐money from R&D investment, especially through the commercialization of defense‐funded technology. In practice, external transfer has proved to be a difficult, labor‐intensive process, which requires a strong commitment from both parties. Here, intellectual property rights (IPR) appear as a strong incentive for collaboration. Analyzing the lack of IPR culture in defense industries elucidates the difficulties and failures in spin‐off attempts. We finally propose strategies leading to a market for defense‐born technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the preliminary results of patenting and licensing activities in Taiwanese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from 1997 to 2001. We propose a framework to analyse the influence of a university's internal Intellectual Property Right (IPR) management and external research partnerships on creating income through patenting and licensing. Through a postal questionnaire survey, all 122 HEIs in Taiwan were surveyed. The empirical results demonstrate that internalised IPR management capability and external research partnerships have substantially increased the amount of academic patents and licensing income. The paper reveals that the relation between external research partnership and patterns of academic licensing is moderated by industry research funding, towards more domestic and partner-oriented licensing. This has crucial policy implications for enhancing effective national triple-helix interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]