A patent portfolio-based approach for assessing potential R&D partners: An application of the Shapley value

We propose a patent portfolio-based approach for assessing potential R&D partners that can consider the inter-partner resource fit in the assessment process. The concept of an integrated patent portfolio is suggested and its value is designed to reflect the resource fit between potential R&D partners. The Shapley value is applied to assess the contribution of each potential partner to the value of the integrated patent portfolio. A case study of a lighting control system is presented to show the feasibility and advantages of our method. Overcoming the weakness of individual capability-focused evaluation of potential R&D partners, our method can better inform decision makers and experts in the partner selection process by enabling more comprehensive assessment of potential R&D partners.