High-value green patent production: quantitative perspective from electrochemical energy storage companies in China

This study examines the influence of external patent agency capabilities on the production of high-value green patents within China's electrochemical energy storage sector. It addresses a significant research gap concerning the role of patent agency capability in fostering high-value green innovation. The primary objective is to assess the direct impact of external patent agency capabilities on high-value green patent output, as well as the mediating roles played by patent strategy and patent organization in this relationship. Data were collected through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire administered to 295 patent professionals from electrochemical energy storage companies in China that possess high-value green patents. The respondents included patent managers, engineers, and analysts with substantial knowledge of patent agency operations. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships among patent agency capabilities, patent strategy, patent organization, and high-value green patent production, utilizing SPSS and Smart PLSSEM for data analysis. The findings indicate that external patent agency capabilities exert a positive influence on the production of high-value green patents, with patent strategy and patent organization serving as significant mediating variables. This study underscores the strategic importance of enhancing patent agency capabilities and aligning patent strategies with organizational practices to improve the production of high-value green patents. It offers valuable theoretical contributions to the field of patent management for green innovation within the context of China. This study is subject to certain limitations, notably focus on a single geographic region and industry, which may constrain the generalizability of the findings. Future research should build on these insights by examining a broader range of contexts and adopting longitudinal research designs to capture the evolving nature of patent agency capabilities, strategic orientations, and organizational practices over time