The role of essential patents as knowledge input for future R&D

• This study tests the role of essential patents as a knowledge input for future R&D.
• It uses the essential patents in W-CDMA and LTE standards.
• It shows the selection of knowledge sources for R&D differs among business models.
• Our findings provide several important implications.

Standards play a key innovation role in industries where a network effect prevails. A standard may contain important technological information that can serve as a basis of further innovation. This study empirically investigates how firms use essential patents as standard-driven technological knowledge for future R&D.