Monitoring the Technological Performance of a Small Economy Using Patent Data: The Case of Denmark

The technological performance of the Danish economy is assessed using data on patenting. It is shown that small and medium-sized countries are more inclined to protect their innovations using patents taken out in foreign countries. Foreign patent flows from and to Denmark are considered, and a comparison with trade flows is attempted. The Danish economy has its sectoral strengths in technologies related to the agro-industrial complex and, more generally, in areas linked to its specialization in international trade. The rate of growth of patent classes is finally considered to assess the vitality of Danish technological performance. Patenting can be a vital instrument to gather information to design appropriate technology policies which may be crucial to strengthen the economic performance of small countries. © 1993, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.