Patent Situational Awareness: Development of a Model and Measurement Instrument

In this study, an attempt has been made to develop a model and measurement instrument for patent situational awareness. On the basis of a literature study, a conceptual model has been developed in which patent situational awareness, patent infringement risk, technology adoption and firm size are the most prominent factors. This model has been evaluated by conducting interviews with industry experts. Using the evaluated conceptual model, a questionnaire item has been developed in which the variables have been operationalized. After evaluation, this questionnaire was distributed under technology-oriented firms as a means to assess the established measurement instrument and gain preliminary insight into patent situational awareness and related factors. Results shed light on the use of patent information in the new product development process and recommendations are made to improve the model and measurement instrument for future research.