Does the 'nano-patent ‘Gold rush’ lead to entrepreneurial-driven growth? Some policy lessons from China and Japan

In this study we compare the nano-patent landscapes of China and Japan in order to assess how their structures (type, fragmentation and concentration of patent ownership) affect the organization of the nanotechnology industry. We also analyze which, if any, barriers deter technology entrepreneurship and consequently slow down the development of markets for technology (Arora, Fosfuri, Gambardella, 2001). Drawing upon 19,157 family patents related to carbon nanotubes from 1992 to present, we found that two dissimilar technology policies boosting regional innovation system emerged: China is more focused on forging an anchor-tenant model, while Japan exhibits a more industry-oriented model through demand-side policy intervention. Implications for firms strategies and policy makers are discussed.