Patent Propensity in Small Technology-based Firms: Evidence from Zhongguancun Science Park.

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]