The patent information, strategic patent deployment thinking, and technology strategies of small and medium-sized enterprises

How to assist technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in establishing a deployment strategy for patents with future development potential that can respond to an environment with frequent patent lawsuits using patent information and strategic patent deployment thinking (SPDT) is an important topic of research. In this study, we developed a SPDT logic model from a theoretical perspective and conducted a case study of an SME, Company H, to implement and assess the logic model. We also examined the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)´s patent database and patent data relevant to the technology field of the case company, focusing on its technology expertise and future development needs. Patent co-citation analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were conducted to establish 11 technological clusters. These clusters provided important sources of technological information to Company H for performing SPDT. Finally, we present 3 R&D strategy proposals and 6 patent deployment models based on the resources of Company H to provide the company decision makers with a reference for establishing technology R&D strategies.