跨國機構在中國之共同研發與專利分析

Abstract

本研究利用創新投入、創新產出以及創新環境等國家創新指標衡量中國的科學技術實力，並透過與他國的比較了解中國科學技術發展的優勢與劣勢。其次，本研究採用美國專利商標局(U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, USPTO)的專利資料，分析1997-2007年中國與他國共同研發專利之特性及趨勢。此外，本研究還結合專利與國家總體資料建構迴歸模型，探討他國與中國共同研發合作的影響因素。 本研究實證結果發現，中國的科學創新產出成長驚人。然而，就創新品質與智慧財產權保護方面，中國還有待加強。在國際研發合作部分，中國與他國的共同研發專利數呈逐年增長趨勢，而美國與台灣為中國最主要的研發合作夥伴。這些跨國的創新成果對於中國的專利產出有相當重要的貢獻。然而，中國目前在全球創新網絡中扮演的是支援者的角色，而非主導者。此外，他國與中國先前的研發合作經驗、中國的研發人力供給、中國與他國的相對市場規模對於他國與中國共同研發有正面的影響。 除了介紹中國的科學技術實力與國際合作研發行為，本研究亦提出一些相關政策建議。

This study examines China’s science and technology capability by discussing different innovation indicators, which can be grouped into three categories, i.e. innovation input, innovation output and innovation environment. By assessing these indicators, we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of China’s current S&T development in comparison with other countries. In this paper, we use patent data from USPTO during 1997-2007 to analyze the patterns and trends of China’s international patenting activity. By linking patent data and other macro-economic variables, we further establish a regression model to explore factors influencing other countries to co-invent with China. From a quantitative perspective, China’s innovation capability has experienced astounding growth since the 1990s. However, its quality of innovation and intellectual property protection still need to be improved. As to international patenting, we find that there are increasing collaborations in inventive activities between China and other countries. USA and Taiwan are the main collaborative partners with China. These cross-border joint patents make great contribution to China’s patent outputs. However, China currently plays a supporting role rather than a leading role in global innovation network. In addition, our empirical research reveals that countries’ previous experience in R&D co-invention, China’s R&D personnel and Relative GDP have positive effects on joint patenting between China and other countries. Besides introducing China’s S&T capability and international collaboration in R&D, this study also provides some policy implications.