Paths to realise patent commercialisation in the age of knowledge economy: a regional innovation ecosystem perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Patent commercialisation in the age of knowledge economy shows unique features, such as involving more diverse participants, requiring a more rapid flow of innovation resources and a more inclusive innovation environment. Hence, it is necessary to consider the causal complexity of patent commercialisation from a macro-perspective. Based on the regional innovation ecosystem (RIE) theory, this paper uses qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to explore the paths to realise patent commercialisation, with 31 provinces in China as samples. The findings pinpoint that the paths to realise patent commercialisation are different according to the enrichment or scarcity of elements in RIEs. Particularly, for RIEs with wholly enriched elements, it is crucial to avoid the loss of elements and retain competitiveness on patent commercialisation; for RIEs with partially enriched elements, it is crucial to supplement elements with scarcity; for RIEs with wholly scarce elements, the primary task is to cultivate its innovation ecosystem, instead of promoting patent commercialisation. The evolutionary model of RIE to realise patent commercialisation is also proposed in this paper.