Title: Development and application of patent management maturity model: a capability-based perspective

Authors: Yurong Zhang; Wei Yang

Addresses: Intellectual Property Academy, Law School, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai City, China ' School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China; Sino-European Institute for Intellectual Property, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

Abstract: This paper aims to develop a comprehensive patent management maturity model (PMMM) in order to support organisations to progressively analyse, understand and improve their patent management maturity (PMM). Through a thorough analysis of existing literature and an extensive survey, we have identified core components of patent management capabilities (PMCs) and categorised them into seven dimensions, each comprising two to four key elements. The meticulous description of maturity levels of the elements provides organisations with a clear roadmap for continuous improvement of their PMM. Furthermore, two Chinese manufacturing firms were chosen as examples to demonstrate how the model may be employed and its efficiency. The model is beneficial for assessing the distribution of strengths and weaknesses in various parts of organisations' PMCs and for upgrading their PMCs through integrating, building, and reconfiguring patent-related processes, thereby increasing the organisation's capability to make intelligent decisions.

Keywords: patent management capabilities; PMCs; dynamic capability; patent management maturity; PMM; maturity model; maturity levels; China; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.142933

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.97 No.1, pp.57 - 87

Received: 17 Dec 2022
Accepted: 14 Aug 2023
Published online: 02 Dec 2024 *

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