An Investigation of the Role of Intellectual Property Rights Policy in Technological Catch up in Developing Countries

The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between intellectual property rights policies and knowledge resources of technological catch-up -indigenous R&D and international technology transfer. The data has been collected from Global Competitiveness Index. For data analysis, correlation test and ANOVA test were used. The research findings show that, firstly, knowledge resources of technological catch-up complement each other in developing countries, and secondly, intellectual property rights policies and knowledge resources of technological catch-up, mutual influence on each other in developing countries. Based on this research typology, developing countries in terms of strength or weakness in both indigenous R&D and international technology transfer, are divided into four types. Intellectual property rights policies in any of the developing countries, is different. Policy recommendation of this research, it is essential at the same time policymaking for gradual improvement of indigenous R&D, international technology transfer and Intellectual Property Rights.