Intellectual Property Management in Publicly Funded R&D Program and Projects: Optimizing Principal–Agent Relationship through Transdisciplinary Approach

Abstract

Large-scale, publicly funded research and development (R&D) programs are implemented to accelerate state-of-the-art science, technology, and innovation applications that are expected to solve various societal problems. The present study aims to build on the body of theory on the mechanisms that promote or impede the creation of intellectual property in such programs. Using a mixed methods approach and combining quantitative network analysis and qualitative semistructured interviews, we conducted a case study to investigate best practices in terms of intellectual property creation in a Japanese governmental research and development program. The results of the network analysis showed that the core/periphery structure in the co-inventor network of patents and joint application by a university and a startup promoted intellectual property creation. The results of the interview confirmed the significance of a reciprocal mindset, which the researchers in academia could acquire through collaboration with a startup. These results suggest that a knowledge logistics system for agile intellectual property management can be established by learning to acquire tacit knowledge on social implementation. Furthermore, we focus on the principal–agent relationship between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers as a factor that impedes the creation of intellectual property. We also discuss adverse selection and moral hazards caused by information asymmetry between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers and how to deal with them.

Development of scientific and methodological approach to quantitative and qualitative assessment of intellectual property management in industrial enterprises

“…The authors insist on the strategy of knowledge management, including industrial enterprises [4,[14][15][16]. However, these papers emphasize the importance of using informal security mechanisms such as runtime and trade secrets.…”

“…Today, the innovative activity of industrial enterprises is based on the use of the developments of research institutes, since there are no scientific departments at enterprises. In [15], the features of IP management in research programs and projects funded by the state are considered. The projects use mixed methods -quantitative network analysis and qualitative semi-structured interviews.…”

“…Thus, the authors of scientific works [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] solve the problems of creating IP objects, protection of rights, management mechanisms. But in the works there is no clear structure, components and tools of the IP management mechanism.…”

A large National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre facilitates impactful cross-disciplinary and collaborative translational research publications and research collaboration networks: a bibliometric evaluation study

“…Translational science requires continuous research and development (R&D) for advances in scientific understanding to lead to improvements in human health. Therefore, sustainable funding models and streams are critical to support such translational science research [ 1 ]. Evidence shows that investment in large research programmes and infrastructure and the inclusion of multi-disciplinary academic and industrial partners [ 2 ] are associated with development of new products and processes, high productivity in research outputs such as research publications and patents, and commercialisation and transfer of knowledge and technology [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…One of these first five (of 20 to date) BRCs was the NIHR Oxford BRC, a research partnership between the University of Oxford and the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [ 26 ]. The NIHR Oxford BRC was originally funded through a competitively awarded grant of £57 million for 5 years from April 2007 to March 2012 [ 1 ]. In the second funding round, the BRC received £95.5 million (68% higher than the first funding award) for another 5 year period from April 2012 to March 2017 and in the third competitive funding award, the BRC was successful in getting £114 million for the period starting from April 2017 to March 2022 [ 1 ], which has been extended at least until November 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”