A Chip Off the Old Block? Nanotech R&D Strategies and Entrepreneurial Opportunities in China & Japan.

In this study we compare the nano-patent landscapes of China and Japan in order to assess how their structures (type, fragmentation and concentration of patent ownership) affect the organization of the nanotechnology industry. We also analyze the technology policies pursued by the two countries in order to assess how policy interventions support technology transfer and nano-exploitation through university-industry collaboration and technology entrepreneurship. Drawing upon 20,365 patent families related to carbon nanotubes from 1994 to present, we found that two dissimilar technology policies boosting national innovation system emerged: China is more focused on forging an anchor-tenant model, while Japan exhibits a more industry-oriented model through demand-side policy intervention. Implications for firms' strategies and policy makers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]