Patent activities and publication performance of academic scientists in the life science field: Case of South Korea

Recently concerns have been raised regarding the negative effects of patent activities on the scientific publication performances of academic scientists. In this study, we examined the patenting behavior of academic scientists in the life science field and the effects of patents on publication performance. Overall, 84% of respondents reported that they had applied for a patent and there were statistically significant differences between university scientists and institute scientists in patent behavior and patent-related activities. Using statistical analysis, we found that patent performance and publication performance were positively correlated. Based on the results of this investigation, we concluded that patent performance does not impede but rather reinforces publication performance. However, the entrepreneurial activity of academic scientists was negatively correlated with publication performance. Therefore, adverse effects of academic entrepreneurship on research publications should be considered in-depth.