Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/25714 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
Jena Economic Research Papers No. 2008,032
Publisher: 
Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena
Abstract: 
What makes scientists patent and disclose inventions to employers? Using a new dataset on Max Planck scientists, we explore their motivations to patent and/or disclose inventions. We propose that patenting need not be used for monetary benefits. Scientists value reputation as important use patenting and disclosures as a signal to gain it. We find that it is not monetary benefits that drive patenting and disclosures but expectation of reputation. We also find that experience with the employer matters for disclosure of inventions. This may imply that patents are indeed used as information transfer mechanisms with prime motivation being reputation.
Subjects: 
University patenting
inventors
incentives
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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