Protecting intellectual property to enhance firm performance: does it work for SMEs?

Abstract

In this century, characterized by increasing level of global competition and high technological development, the ability of firms to develop and exploit their innovative capabilities is widely recognized as a critical determinant of firm performance and competitive advantage. Intellectual Property represents knowledge that can be protected by recognized rights, called intellectual property rights (IPRs) that encompass patents, trademarks, design and copyrights. Our paper aims at studying the relationship between two different IPRs, patents and trademarks, and economic and financial performance of SMEs in two different Italian industries. It helps fill the gap about the use of IPRs by SMEs, which is still under-researched. In line with previous studies, we propose an approach that uses a panel regression model, supported by a t-test, to investigate the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Drawing on the results, we hypothesize explanations of our findings and suggest directions for future research.

Keywords:

• SMEs
• intellectual property
• patents
• trademarks
• economic and financial performance

Acknowledgements

The research is part of the project ‘Developing capabilities for dual innovation: integrating incremental and radical processes of new product development’ (cod. CPDA109359/10), funded by the University of Padua.

Notes

1 We consider the sum of patents and trademarks from 2005 to 2009 in order to create the groups to be compared on the basis of the performance of 2010.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lara Agostini

About the Authors

Lara Agostini is a research fellow at the Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padua where she obtained a Ph.D. in Management Engineering in March 2014. Her main research areas are alliances, innovation management and IPRs. She has won two awards, the former in 2012 at the IFKAD (International Forum on Knowledge Assets Dynamics) and the latter in 2013 at the IAMB (International Academy of Management and Business) Conference. She has published in Measuring Business Excellence.

Roberto Filippini

Roberto Filippini is full professor of management at the University of Padua. He teaches Management of Innovation at the Department of Management and Engineering and New Product Development at the MBA of the CUOA Business School. His interests concern the topics of innovation, new product development and knowledge management. He has published articles in reviewed journals such as: The Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of Operations Management, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.

Anna Nosella

Anna Nosella is associate professor of business strategy at the University of Padua, Department of Management and Engineering. Her research interests focus on innovation management, dynamic capabilities and strategies. Her papers have been published in Technovation, Long Range Planning, Management Decision, Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Human Resource Management, and Strategic Organization. She acts as reviewer for journals such as California Management Review, Journal of Organizational Change Management, and Technology Analysis & Strategic Management.