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Using a survey administered in Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing, China, this paper investigates the impact of R&D personnel-related intellectual property management practices on the patent propensity of small technology-based firms. It is found that R&D personnel-related management practices, including training and reward mechanisms, are effective in enhancing a firm's willingness to patent. In particular, we find that reward mechanisms can negatively moderate the effect of size on a firm's willingness to patent. One implication that emerged from the analysis is that a small firm can counteract its size disadvantage in patenting by introducing a well-developed reward mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights a new emerging division of labour among Chinese Research and Development (R&D) workers in Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park, which emphasises learning through external networks. Such learning relies on the ability to develop common practices and ‘translate’ external knowledge to the firm. The discussion highlights the significant costs that can be associated with developing and establishing such skills and the underlying practices that can support this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]