Science Research Management

Science Research Management ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (5): 133-142.

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A research on the patent-based technology collaboration between China and Sweden

Zhang Yafeng1, Li Chenglong2, Xiao Li3   

  1. 1. School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; 
    2. Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Research Center, Beijing 100744, China; 
    3. Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
  • Received:2019-12-02 Revised:2020-08-26 Online:2021-05-20 Published:2021-05-19

Abstract: International technology collaboration is an important way in improving domestic technological innovation. A lot of countries, multinational corporations, research institutes and universities are taking measures to enhance their international technology collaboration level, which is helpful in promoting open innovation, improving research efficiency and reducing research risks. By defining the dominant industries in Sweden and the IPC classifications of the patents in those industries, this article uses the data of the collaborated PCT and EPO patents between China and Sweden during 1988 - 2017 to analyze the collaboration situation of technology between the two nations.
First, we divide international patent collaboration into 9 specific types based on the collaboration of patent applicants and patent inventors. Because patent applicants are usually the patent holders after the patent being granted, and patent holders have the right to enforce their patents, while inventors only have the right to get some rewards and the right to have their names signed in the patent document, we hold the opinion that collaboration between patent applicants is more meaningful. Starting from this point, we further define the 9 types of international patent collaboration into broad (between applicant and/or inventor) international patent collaboration and narrow (between applicants) international patent collaboration, where the narrow collaboration is the more meaningful one as defined.
Second, we analyzed the situation of the patent collaboration between China and Sweden in the four dominant industries of Sweden. The four industries include Information and Communication Industry, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry, Medical Device Industry, and Automobile Manufacturing Industry. And we analyze the patent collaboration between China and Sweden in the four industries using dimensions of PCT and EPO patent.
Third, we clarified the characteristics of the patent collaboration between China and Sweden from three aspects of technology fields, entity features and regional difference. In this section, we compare the patent collaboration between China and Sweden and the patent collaboration between America and Sweden to enrich our findings. It is found that, in aspect of technology fields, the more developed the technology of a nation is, the more likely the technology is found to have collaborations in patents; besides, the nature of the technologies themselves and other factors also influence the collaboration, and the technology development level is not the only factor. In aspect of entity features, the background of the applicants and inventors has impact on the collaboration, especially the investment background of the organizations applying patents and the relationship background of the organization leaders and inventors. In aspect of regional difference, patent collaboration is found to have regional propensity, this is mainly because patent is protected by national/regional law and the decision of collaboration behavior is made based on market consideration of certain nations or regions. 
The research is aimed at providing reference for further technology collaboration of China and other countries. It is of great significance to discuss the collaboration with small nations in deepening China′s international technology collaboration strategy and promoting enterprises′ technological innovation under the background of the tense Sino-America relationship. Based on the findings, we put forward some policy implications for the future technology collaboration.
〖WTHZ〗Key words

Key words:  technology collaboration, patent, China, Sweden