Especially changes in the entrepreneurial sector, such as the further development or growth of the company, the environment or the economy, first require knowledge about the current state of affairs, in order to meet with acceptance and the willingness to optimize quality, including the quality of IP management, among all those involved.

For this reason, the master thesis on the topic: “Readiness Level of Implementation of the DIN 77006” was written, which is also intended to analyze the influencing factors and maturity levels of the implementation of quality management in IP management using examples from German SMEs.

The implementation status of the different companies was answered by several interviews with different German SMEs. It was found that implementation has progressed to different degrees. It was interesting to note that, when asked about the implementation of DIN 77006, most companies initially stated that they had not yet dealt with it. In the course of the interviews, however, it became clear that many of the companies had already dealt with the process steps mentioned in DIN 77006 even without knowing about it.

Factors that can influence the implementation of DIN 77006 include staffing levels, knowledge within the company, corporate culture and the stability of the company’s market position.

For example, it was easier for companies with more employees in the patent department to implement DIN 77006 than for companies with small patent departments. The reason why implementation is slower in the small departments is that in these departments, day-to-day business takes precedence over implementation, because day-to-day business helps to secure revenue.

But also the stability on the market delivers a clear influence on the implementation. If the company is relatively stable in its position, it is easier to find the right IP strategy. However, if internal or external influences such as the Corona pandemic or the sale of the main product line lead to significant changes in the company, the motto is to first restore the company’s own stability before continuing with the adaptation of the sub-processes implemented to date and the integration of the sub-process steps that are still missing.

The level of IP knowledge available in the company can also have an influence on the learning and knowledge process and on the implementation of DIN 77006.

The final question “What can the next step of further implementation look like?” was answered by conducting thought experiments and linking the findings from the previous research questions. To this end, considerations were made as to which next sub-process steps of DIN 77006 would make the most sense as a further development for the respective company.

The ideal step in each case depends on many factors, especially on the linkage of IP and business. Accordingly, this master thesis provides an overview of the implementation of DIN 77006 for SMEs in relation to the respective current state and thus also suggestions for improving the quality of IP management.

As a conclusion of this master thesis, it can be stated that there are company-specific ideal steps for the implementation of DIN 77006 for SMEs.

This research project is conducted by MIPLM graduate Nora Rüter and supervised by Prof. Dr. Alexander Wurzer and Dr. Thibaud Lelong both CEIPI.

Nora is a patent engineer with a dual degree in engineering. She also graduated in 2021 with an MBA business law at the AIM/ FH Burgenland and in 2022 the MIPLM at CEIPI. Nora started her career in the IP field as junior patent engineer at Harting and is since 2018 patent engineer at the Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik.

 

Here is a description of the research project: