Intellectual property registration strategies in domestic and foreign contexts

Purpose This study examines the key drivers behind intellectual property (IP) registrations across countries, with a focus on International Intellectual Property Registration Strategies (IIPRSs). Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 98 countries to examine the net effects of IIPRS on patent, industrial design and trademark filings by both residents and non-residents. Sixteen variables sourced from international organizations were analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results indicate that the causal relationships unfold in three stages: first, a country’s business-friendly environment positively affects purchasing power and the allocation of resources to research and development (R second, R and third, consumption capacity encourages IP registrations by both locals and foreigners, with a stronger effect observed among foreign applicants. Research limitations/implications One challenge involved compiling a reliable dataset due to variations across sources and methodological changes in the data series. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches to capture changes over time. Practical implications The findings suggest that managers of innovative firms can make more informed decisions about where to file for IP protection, where to invest and how to balance legal protections with trade secrets. For policymakers, effectively attracting technologies and intellectual investments requires strategically balancing market potential and R&D efforts. Originality/value This study highlights how the sophistication of IIPRS reshapes the hierarchy of motivations driving foreign investments in international IP registration.