Abstract
In this dissertation, I investigate the value of patents—a question I have grappled with throughout my career, beginning as an examiner at the Swedish Patent Office and continuing into my work as an industry representative. I challenge the prevailing view in patent literature that considers patents to be distinct, predictable assets. Instead, I propose a relational view, suggesting that patent value is not fixed but is shaped through human interactions and organisational practices. Building on the notion that patents are inventions described with words and that these words are processed within a network of relations, I argue that their values are context-dependent and flexible, evolving through negotiations within different communities of experts.The dissertation is based on several empirical studies conducted in the case organisation, a multinational manufacturing company committed to driving the shift to a more sustainable industry. Through interviews, observations, and analysis of data related to the organisation‘s patents, I explore how individual and collective actions shape patent values. I demonstrate how patent strategy arises not just from top-down directives but also from daily activities, such as portfolio review meetings where patents are examined, assessed, and possibly aligned with business goals.This research contributes to the patent strategy literature by highlighting that the creation, management and strategising of patent values involve a broader range of participants than traditionally recognised. It also expands the emerging field of research on patents as artefacts with negotiated values by presenting empirical studies on how organisational practices influence the perceived value of patents. Ultimately, this thesis advocates for a more flexible understanding of patent values, encouraging both academia and industry to reconsider how patents are managed and aligned with strategic aspirations.