This research analyses whether German Machine Tool Builders headquartered in industrial clusters differ in patent activities from companies outside these regions.
Therefore this paper provides standard references as well as current research activities in the field of cluster processes and examines if the theoretical approaches and characteristics also apply on a sample of 112 German Machine Tool Builders.
Based on the German Patent and Trademark Office database the results show that cluster based and non-cluster based firms´ patent activities differ just insignificantly regarding the patent and utility model applications per year and per 1 Mio. € revenue.
This may come from the decreasing importance of spatial proximity as knowledge seems to be well codified and therefore easily transferable in a mature stage of the industry lifecycle.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Innovation in Clusters
- Knowledge Transfer and Spillovers
- Patent Activities
- Research design and method
- Case Study Design
- Data Collection and Evaluation
- Data Filters
- Discussion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research aims to determine if German Machine Tool Builders headquartered in industrial clusters demonstrate distinct patent activities compared to companies situated outside these regions. The study analyzes the relationship between geographic proximity and patent activity, particularly within the context of the German Machine Tool Builders industry.
- Cluster-based innovation and knowledge transfer
- The role of patent activity as a measure of innovation
- The impact of industry maturity on knowledge spillovers
- Spatial proximity and its influence on innovation
- The German Machine Tool Builders industry as a case study
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the research objective and scope, focusing on examining the link between geographical proximity and patent activity in general, particularly within the German Machine Tool Builders industry.
- Literature Review: This chapter comprehensively analyzes relevant literature on innovation in clusters, knowledge transfer and spillovers, and patent activities. It summarizes current research and highlights key findings in these fields.
- Research design and method: This chapter details the case study approach and data collection methods, describing the sample selection, data cleaning, and data evaluation processes. It also discusses the filters applied to the sample to ensure reliable data analysis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The research focuses on the concepts of cluster-based innovation, knowledge transfer, and patent activity in the context of the German Machine Tool Builders industry. Key terms include cluster, innovation, knowledge transfer, patent activity, and German Machine Tool Builders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do companies in industrial clusters have more patents?
According to this research on German Machine Tool Builders, there is only an insignificant difference in patent activity between cluster-based and non-cluster-based firms.
What is the "Machine Tool Builder" study about?
It examines 112 German companies to see if geographical proximity to a cluster influences their number of patent and utility model applications.
Why does spatial proximity seem to be losing importance?
The study suggests that in mature industries, knowledge is well-codified and easily transferable, making physical closeness less critical for innovation.
How was the patent activity measured in this study?
The researchers used data from the German Patent and Trademark Office, calculating applications per year and per 1 million Euro of revenue.
What is a "knowledge spillover"?
It refers to the process where knowledge generated by one company "spills over" to others, often assumed to happen more frequently within industrial clusters.
- Quote paper
- Tobias Mayer (Author), 2015, Do cluster based companies differ in patent activity to non-cluster based ones? A Case study of German Machine Tool Builders, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/307440
