Impact of Entrepreneurial Support on Scientific Publications and Patent Applications

Abstract

Background: Entrepreneurial support is an important factor that affects innovation and new technology development of a country. Scientific publications and patent applications are the indicators of the innovation level. Methods: In this study, the effect of entrepreneurial support on scientific publications and patent applications is analyzed by using the data collected at the country level. Descriptive statistics and correlations among the variables are presented. A fuzzy clustering approach is used to form groups of countries using entrepreneurial support data and then the mean differences between scientific publications and patent applications are revealed with the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There is a significant difference among the clusters in terms of both patent applications and total publications. This indicates that the countries with higher entrepreneurial support provide higher patent applications and scientific publications. Conclusion: Entrepreneurial support is the key to achieve higher innovation levels and new technologies. In order to be successful in the long term, the governments should support entrepreneurial activities. Keywords: Patents, R&D, correlation, fuzzy clustering, ANOVA, entrepreneurship, scientific publications.