The IPR of the beholder: the economics and strategy knowledge base of IPR, patents and trademarks

Abstract The economics and strategy literature is a useful resource for professionals and policy-makers involved in patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights (IPRs). Understanding how this knowledge accumulates is crucial for identifying, analyzing, evaluating, anticipating, and managing intangible assets. The role of IPR seems to be a touchstone for decision-makers as IPRs stand in the middle of micro and macro perspectives. Notwithstanding, it remains unclear how IPRs are interpreted differently across communities. This paper uses bibliographic data to identify, classify and assess research documents around IPR topics from the Economics discipline and from the Strategic perspective. For this, we investigate the trajectories of IPR-related research in the top-10 journals of both economic science and business strategy. Evidence shows new contributions have trended upwards at similar rates in both disciplinary realms. The stylised facts uncovered may be of use to leaders and experts in IPR offices who need to be up-to-date with the scientific literature but want to build panoramic awareness and retain critical insight.