Impact of the network location of energy storage cooperative patents on patent transfer: The moderating effect of innovation environment

The transfer of energy storage patents can facilitate innovative development. The present study analyzes the factors influencing the transfer of cooperative energy storage patents. Based on data from the incoPat patent database, we established the Cooperative network and knowledge network of energy storage patents and measured the impact of the cooperative and knowledge network positions on patent transfers and the moderating effect of the innovation environment. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) The position of cooperative applicants in the cooperative network influences the transfer of energy storage patents; if the structural holes are small and the clustering coefficient is high, the likelihood of transfer is greater. (2) The position of knowledge elements in the knowledge network influences the transfer of energy storage patents; if the degree centrality is small, closeness centrality is small, and if the betweenness centrality is large, the likelihood of transfer is higher. (3) The innovation environment regulates the role of networks in patent transfers: a high level of economic development weakens the influence of cooperation and knowledge networks, while a high level of patent agency enhances the role of cooperative networks. (4) The transfer of patents for energy storage collaboration in China has unique characteristics. The present study has important implications for the development of the energy storage industry. Governments can formulate appropriate incentive policies based on the findings of this study to promote technological innovation and exchange. Patent collaborators can identify and utilize their network resources based on the recommendations of this study to improve the efficiency and benefits of patent transfers and jointly promote the scale and market-oriented development of the energy storage industry. •Propose hypotheses on the impact of collaborator position on patent transfer.•Propose hypotheses on the impact of knowledge position on patent transfer.•Propose hypotheses on the moderating role of the innovation environment.•Validate the hypotheses by utilizing data from energy storage cooperative patents.•Discuss why certain hypotheses were not verified.