The doctoral research investigates the potential and useful role that intellectual property rights (IPR) play concerning enterprises, especially their utility as one of the elements of the public support system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
„I teach these topics in TalTech and therefore, for me, sustainable economic development (through innovation) and a sustainable Europe by 2030 are the key focus areas, to ensure that the economic development of society occurs inclusively and benefits all segments of society. Cultural, economic, social, strategic, and motivational aspects are relied upon,“ comments Dutt.
This approach has also been recently adopted by the Estonian Research, Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RDIE) Strategy 2021-2035. The 2022 IP SME scoreboard commissioned by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reveals that low IPR protection levels are a common problem for SMEs in several small and medium-sized European Union (EU) member states and Estonia is not an exception.
Dutt adds: „By studying the RDI policies of Estonia, Finland, and Germany, I have showcased the significance of public support in the form of state aid for the creation and commercialisation of IPR generated through RDI activities by SMEs. However, state aid can suffer from policy restrictions and legal impediments under EU law. Thus, I have been motivated to find the best practices regarding the public support system for the acquisition and exploitation of IPR by SMEs.“
The research gap that has been identified, is whether the EU legal framework for IPR “exclusively” influences the possibilities of the public support system for SMEs in small catch-up economies or does a broader outlook based on the social system framework merits interest in this regard. The main research problem deals with the issue of how the public support system in Estonia (as an example of a catch-up economy in the EU) can help SMEs attain, expand, and sustainably exploit their IPR portfolio. This dissertation used a research strategy whereby both qualitative and quantitative research are combined.
Commenting more specifically on the findings and practical implications of his research, Dutt says: „I show that the social systems theory which forms the basis of the 4 S Model by Groen, is relevant for wholesome development of any society. To make the economy knowledge-driven and technologically intensive, the state must focus on cultural, economic, social, and strategic factors through the public RDI support system. I have ranked various member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (including Estonia) in terms of specific variables. I have compared Estonia with Finland and Germany in RDI matters. I have also focused on the economic utility of the new Unitary Patent (UP) regime for SMEs and entrepreneurs to expand their international patent portfolios. I have customised Groen´s model to his context of IPR research, identified 19 relevant attributes, and proposed an improved framework.“
This research can be of assistance in the formulation of an appropriate science policy and funding scheme whereby IPR (including international patents) can be obtained and used to assess the state of development of RDI, while remaining within the requirements of RDI policy restrictions and EU state aid rules. There are some useful suggestions for the new Estonian RDIE Strategy. The benefits of the UP regime and the Unified Patent Court were also examined from the EU state aid law perspective. The RDI Framework rules and the EU-level legal prescribed notification thresholds, along with eligible costs for innovation aid for SMEs, maximum aid intensities, and individual exemptions have been outlined.
Dutt comments: „I hope that this work will contribute to the debate regarding the use of IPR as a sustainable element of the public support system for SMEs. This interdisciplinary research has been a long and enriching journey. However, it is also important to remember that a Ph.D. is just a part of a journey and not the final destination. Besides the people in EBS and my supervisors, I owe my success to my family and friends who have always stood beside me“.
Supervisors: Professor Tiit Elenurm, Ph.D., Estonian Business School, Adjunct Professor Katrin Nyman-Metcalf, Ph.D., Department of Law, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology
Opponents: Professor Frantzeska Papadopoulou, Juris Doktor, Law Faculty, Stockholm University, Sweden, Associate Professor Mervi Raudsaar, Ph.D. Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu
You can find the full Doctoral theses here.
