In this paper we explain how firms seeking to take advantage of distributed innovation and outsourcing can bridge the tension between value creation and value capture by modifying the modular structure of their technical systems. Specifically, we introduce the concept of “IP modularity”, a...

Modularity is a means of partitioning technical knowledge about a product or process. When state-sanctioned intellectual property (IP) rights are ineffective or costly to enforce, modularity can be used to hide information and thus protect IP. We investigate the impact of modularity on IP...

Based on interviews, conjoint analyses, and patent databases, the role of patents in venture capital financing is empirically investigated. For practitioners and academics alike this dissertation provides many novel insights on how the importance of patents differs between regions, industries,...