Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
submittedVersion
Publication Date
12-2009
Abstract
Knowledge-based firms seeking competitive advantage often draw on the public knowledge stream (ideas embedded in public commons institutions) as the foundation for private knowledge (ideas firms protect through private intellectual property [IP] institutions). However, understanding of the converse relationship—the impact of private knowledge strategies on public knowledge production—is limited. We examine this question in human genetics, where policy makers debate expanding IP ownership over the human genome. Our difference-in-differences estimates show that gene patents decrease public genetic knowledge, with broader patent scope, private sector ownership, patent thickets, fragmented patent ownership, and a gene's commercial relevance exacerbating their effect.
Keywords
Patents, political planning, policy sciences, intellectual property, genetics, government policy
Discipline
Strategic Management Policy | Technology and Innovation
Research Areas
Strategy and Organisation
Publication
Academy of Management Journal
Volume
52
Issue
6
First Page
1193
Last Page
1221
ISSN
0001-4273
Identifier
10.5465/AMJ.2009.47084665
Publisher
Academy of Management
Citation
HUANG, Kenneth Guang-Lih and MURRAY, Fiona.
Does Patent Strategy Shape the Long-Run Supply of Public Knowledge? Evidence from Human Genetics. (2009). Academy of Management Journal. 52, (6), 1193-1221.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/986
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.5465/AMJ.2009.47084665