How does patent portfolio structure affect patent value in different technological environments? Evidence from Chinese high-tech industries

In recent decades, races for individual patents among firms have been shifting to strategic competition based on patent portfolios. This transition underscores the importance of understanding how individual patents can be coherently integrated into a patent portfolio to enhance their value. We argue that individual patent value is not only determined by inherent patent-level characteristics but also hinges on two characteristics of patent portfolio structure—technological advantage and relatedness. Based on the patent data of Chinese listed companies in high technology industries from 2007 to 2019, we employ patent survival analysis and find that technological advantage of a patent portfolio in a specific field can increase the value of patents in the field. In addition, technological relatedness across different fields also renders higher patent value. We further document the moderating effects of two external technological environment factors. Specifically, as external technological competition intensifies, the positive effects of portfolio advantage and portfolio relatedness on patent value become stronger. Conversely, external technological opportunity richness weakens the positive relationship between technological relatedness and patent value. Our findings yield strategic insights for firms seeking to refine their patent portfolio structures in sync with technology trends.