Trademarks as an indicator of regional innovation: evidence from Japanese prefectures

Trademarks, patents and the appropriation strategies of incumbents: the scope of new firm formation in European regions

“…Our research also contributes to the nascent literature on the role of trademarks in industrial dynamics and regional innovation systems. In particular, we confirmed that trademarks may be complementary to patents as indicators of regional innovation capabilities and their evolution (as shown in this special issue by Block et al, 2021;Drivas, 2020;and Sáiz & Zofío, 2021). However, we show that regionally embedded knowledge protected by trademarks may only translate into higher entry rates in the absence of a pronounced appropriation strategy of incumbent firms or when entrants do not directly compete with the trademarking incumbents.…”

“…Each perspective focuses on different motives for trademark protection: to raise entry barriers and secure market positions, to appropriate returns from innovation, and to attract resources. Research on the use of trademarks has suggested that trademark activity can be considered as an indicator of new product and service introductions indicating broader innovative activities and knowledge creation not captured by patents (Block et al, 2021;Castaldi, 2019;Mendonça et al, 2004;Sáiz & Zofío, 2021). Studies have, for instance, found that trademarks serve as an indicator of service innovation (e.g., Flikkema et al, 2019;Gotsch & Hipp, 2012).…”

“…The creation of trademarks has been acknowledged as an indicator of (novel) product introductions, which may serve as a measure identifying innovative activities beyond those measured by patents (Block et al, 2021;Castaldi, 2019;Mendonça et al, 2004). As such, trademark stocks may encourage new firm formation.…”

Hidden champions as a determinant of regional development: An analysis of german districts

“…The relevance of regional innovation as well as its possible determinants have received great attention in recent research (e. g. Block et al 2021;Fritsch/Slavtchev 2011;Makkonen/van der Have 2013). For example, Broekel & Brenner (2011) examine how twelve selected regional factors, including the number of R&D employees, the presence of universities and technical colleges, and public research institutions, among others, affect the innovativeness of a region.…”

“…Ultimately, this leads to increased regional innovation activities, both with regard to innovation input, for example, in terms of R&D expenditures, and innovation output, for example, indicated by the number of patent applications and new product developments. R&D expenditures and granted patents only represent a fraction of local innovation activities and allow limited statements on the innovation dynamics of a region as they focus almost exclusively on technological innovation (Block et al 2021); however, they are established indicators in this context (e. g. Fritsch/ Slavtchev 2011).…”