Innovation, openness, and publication strategies: A mixed-methods exploration of German inventors

Focusing on the role of patent citations as linkage mechanisms, this Paper-in-progress (PiP) outlines an ongoing research agenda looking to identify patterns, motivations, and effects in the uptake of open science practices by German inventors. Based on previous work, this PiP develops a strategy for identifying relevant scholarly works, their citations, and thematic and authorship networks established therein. Moreover, the core contribution is based on a qualitative study of leading inventors in different fields of science (highlighting the dynamism of AI research). Through structured interviews, the goal is to systematise key elements of (open) science-industry relationships, such as collaboration structures, publication strategies, and the specific role of national and/or institutional policies. The research agenda looks to consolidate the knowledge framework between science and policy, as well as the intertwinement of industry incentives as part of the R&D ecosystem, as well as offering a methodological basis for further studies.