Patent Ownership and Knowledge Accumulation in Standardization Strategy: Evidence from the 3GPP Engaged Firms
The DEMS Management Seminar series is proud to host
Prof. Cristina LONGO
(University of Catania)
Patent Ownership and Knowledge Accumulation in Standardization Strategy: Evidence from the 3GPP Engaged Firms
Abstract:
This research investigates how firms strategically shape their technology portfolio to extract value from standardization. While patenting strategies have been widely examined, less attention has been devoted to the technology portfolios as the link between patenting and standardization. We focus on two key dimensions of firms’ patent endowment: patent ownership and knowledge accumulation to explain the composition of standard-related technology portfolios. Analyzing 16,002 technical specifications, including 2,182 referenced by SEPs from 28 technology portfolios in 3GPP firms, we find that knowledge accumulation has a stronger effect than patent ownership on portfolio composition. Regression analysis further reveals a conditional effect arising from the interaction between these two dimensions. Our findings show how firms manage exploitation (deepening existing technological domains) and exploration (expanding into additional technology categories) when shaping their SEP portfolios. Results highlight that firms’ standardization strategies depend on both independent and contingent effects of their knowledge assets. Evidence suggests how patent ownership and knowledge accumulation jointly influence SEP portfolio composition. The research offers insights into the strategic logic guiding firms’ behavior in standardization and the design of intellectual property strategy for standard related innovations.
BIO
Cristina Longo is Professor of Management at the University of Catania. She holds a Ph.D. and has been awarded prestigious fellowships, including the 2021 Canon Foundation Fellowship at Yokohama National University (JP) and the IRI Foundation Research Fellowship (2025–2026) at INSEAD. Her other visiting appointments include Columbia Business School, Southampton Business School, the University of Montpellier, Montpellier Business School, and the University of Economics in Prague. Her research focuses on innovation management, standardization, and patent strategy; innovative start ups, communities of practice, and hub and spoke innovation models; as well as responsible management and sustainable business.
The seminar will be held in Room U6-01a.