Formal and informal appropriation mechanisms for sustainable innovation: an investigation of innovator opinions and performance outcomes

This dissertation examines innovator motives, opinions and usage patterns of formal appropriation mechanisms such as patents and trademarks, and informal appropriation mechanisms such secrecy and first mover advantage – on sustainable innovation. The first study begins with a qualitative analysis which finds the motives that drive innovators to use appropriation mechanisms on sustainable innovation. Thereafter, the second study takes a quantitative approach and examines innovator opinions on patent, trademark and design right policy and how they impact innovation and sustainability activity, and also looks at the extent to which motives of formal appropriation mechanisms are considered important. The third and fourth studies quantitatively examine performance outcomes. The third study looks at which appropriation mechanisms are associated with the commercial success of a sustainable innovation, and the fourth study looks at how patents and trademarks can be used to measure innovation – whether sustainable or not.