RandD spillovers, patents and the incentives to innovate in Japan and the United States

Wesley M. Cohen, Akira Goto, Akiya Nagata, Richard R. Nelson, John P. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

521 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

National surveys of RandD labs across the manufacturing sectors in the US and Japan show that intraindustry RandD knowledge flows and spillovers are greater in Japan than in the US and the appropriability of rents due to innovation less. Patents in particular are observed to play a more central role in diffusing information across rivals in Japan, and appear to be a key reason for greater intraindustry RandD spillovers there, suggesting that patent policy can importantly affect information flows. Uses of patents differ between the two nations, with strategic uses of patents, particularly for negotiations, being more common in Japan.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1349-1367
Number of pages19
JournalResearch Policy
Volume31
Issue number8-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RandD spillovers, patents and the incentives to innovate in Japan and the United States'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this