Title: Intellectual property awareness

Authors: Robert H. Pitkethly

Addresses: St.Peter's College, Oxford University, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DL, UK

Abstract: Intellectual property (IP) systems depend on awareness of intellectual property yet study and measurement of this has hitherto been neglected. Components of and measures for IP awareness are discussed and studied using a large scale survey of UK industry. This addressed three main issues of: 1) IP knowledge and understanding; 2) IP management practices; 3) awareness and use of IP information and advice. IP awareness scales were constructed using both classical measurement theory and Rasch model scales. The survey showed that larger companies are more IP aware whilst SMEs and the mass of micro-enterprises are often effectively unaware of the IP system. The findings showed the importance of promoting IP awareness not just to firms but also within firms and that promoting IP awareness to smaller companies is vital to the system's success.

Keywords: intellectual property; patents; awareness measurement; UK; United Kingdom; knowledge; understanding; management practices; information; advice; awareness scales; Rasch models; data analysis; Georg Rasch; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; large companies; micro-enterprises; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2012.047243

International Journal of Technology Management, 2012 Vol.59 No.3/4, pp.163 - 179

Accepted: 20 Jun 2011
Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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