In his Innovation Insights blog on harvardbusiness.org, Scott Anthony insists that 'more' doesn't always mean 'better' when it comes to innovation.
He refers to a survey of intellectual property managers where almost 80 per cent of those polled said they measured effectiveness by assessing the number of patent applications filed, while other measures included the number of patents granted and invention disclosures reviewed.
In response, the author quotes Albert Einstein: "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
While Anthony admits that patents can be a source of competitive advantage and indicate that a technological community is "on top of its game", he reminds readers that there is a big difference between invention and innovation, and that "patents for patents' sake" are often a waste of time.
He says: "Overly focusing on the numbers can push researchers to try to answer 'can we' questions, rather than 'should we' questions. It can signal that management believes 'the job is done when the patent is won.' A scientist that files hundreds of patents that sit on a shelf never to be commercialized might win professional accolades, but they haven't materially helped their company."
So Anthony advises intellectual property managers to ensure that researchers are connected to the marketplace. He also recommends they track the long-term impact of their efforts in intellectual property development.
The Danger of Innovation by the Numbers, Continued
Scott Anthony, Innovation Insights, harvardbusiness.org, 09/09/09
