An Informetric Perspective of Intellectual Property Research in Africa using the SCOPUS Database
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/14909Keywords:
Intellectual property, Intellectual property literature, Systematic review, Intellectual property in Africa, Intellectual property awarenessAbstract
Intellectual property (IP) issues are addressed globally through multilateral instruments, such as the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPs). Such global settings may be inadequate to consider African regional issues. However, the discourse regarding IP in the African region seems to be limited. This study was conducted to examine documents on IP in Africa with the aim of determining the availability of publications and establishing the obstacles that hinder scholarly publishing on IP in Africa. This was a quantitative study conducted on SCOPUS on 14 August 2023, using the search term “intellectual property in Africa,” which retrieved a total of 2 316 documents (2000–2022). The results showed that, out of the 50 countries with documents on IP in Africa, only 11 were African countries, while six of the 10 institutes were universities in Africa. The publications were in 12 document types, and there were five dominant subject areas. Only three out of the 10 prominent authors were affiliated with institutions in Africa, and none of the top five journals belonged to an African country. Only one funding sponsor and one language were African. The researchers concluded that publications on IP in Africa were available in a variety of types, cutting across disciplines. However, they were very few and limited to certain years, countries and institutions due to issues of authorship, source, funding sponsor, and language of publication. There is a need to raise awareness of the need for scholarly discourse regarding IP in the African context.
References
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SCOPUS. 2023. “Intellectual Property in Africa.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://0-www-scopus-com.oasis.unisa.ac.za/term/analyzer.uri?sort=plf-f&src=s&sid=14ee5aa53ff46e024282f5ee7829f59a&sot=a&sdt=a&sl=40&s=TITLE-ABS-KEY%28intellectual+AND+property%29&origin=resultslist&count=10&analyzeResults=Analyze+results
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World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2003. “Intellectual Property: A Power Tool for Economic Growth.” Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/888/wipo_pub_888.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2004. “WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use.” WIPO Publication 489, 2nd edition. Geneva. Accessed August 15, 2023. http://www.wipo.int/aboutip/en/iprm/index.html
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2011. “What is Intellectual Property?” Accessed August 15, 2023. http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/450/wipo_pub_450.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2012. “World Intellectual Property Indicators.” Accessed August 15, 2023 https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/941/wipo_pub_941_2012.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2020. “WIPO Global Innovation Index: Who Will Finance Innovation?” Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_gii_2020.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2021. “IP for Growth and Sustainable Development.” WIPO, Global Innovation Index. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_1050_2021-chapter5.pdf
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Xiolan, F. 2008. “Foreign Direct Investment, Absorptive Capacity and Regional Innovation Capabilities: Evidence from China.” Oxford Development Studies 36 (1): 89–110. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24085821_Foreign_Direct_Investment_Absorptive_Capacity_and_Regional_Innovation_Capabilities_Evidence_from_China; https://doi.org/10.1080/13600810701848193
Zungu, N. 2020. “Informetrics Education in Library and Information Science (LIS) Academic Department in South Africa.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4295. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4295/
African Union Commission (AUC). 2006. “Executive Council Decisions EX.CL/Dec.236–277 (VIII).” Addis Ababa: AUC. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://au.int/sites/default/files/decisions/9639-ex_cl_dec_236_-_277_viii_e.pdf.
Baas, J., Schotten, M., Plume, A., Cote, G., Karimi, R. 2020. “SCOPUS as a Curated, High-quality Bibliometric Data Source for Academic Research in Quantitative Science Studies.” Quantitative Science Studies 1: 1–10. Accessed August 16, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338781878_SCOPUS_as_a_curated_high-quality_bibliometric_data_source_for_academic_research_in_quantitative_science_studies; https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00019
Bansi, R., and Reddy, K. 2015. “Intellectual Property from Publicly Financed Research and Intellectual Property Registration by Universities: A Case Study of a University in South Africa.” Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 181: 185–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.880
Chauhan, A., and Singh, K. 2023. “Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age: A SCOPUS-based Review of Research Literature.” Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) 10 (7): 131–144.
Center for IP Understanding (CIPU). 2018. “The State of IP Education Worldwide: Seven Leading Nations.” Accessed October 14, 2021. http://www.understandingip.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CIPU-State-of-IP-Education-Worldwide.pdf
De Beer, J., Armstrong, C., Oguamanam, C., and Schonwetter, T. (Eds). 2014a. “Innovation and Intellectual Property: Collaborative Dynamics in Africa. Chapter 1.” Accessed August 14, 2023. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/za/
De Beer, J., Armstrong, C., Oguamanam, C., and Schonwetter, T. (Eds). 2014b. “Innovation and Intellectual Property: Collaborative Dynamics in Africa. Chapter 13.” Accessed August 14, 2023. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/za/
Diwan, I., and Rodrik, D. 1991. “Patents, Appropriate Technology, and North-South Trade.” Journal of International Economics 30 (1): 27–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1996(91)90003-O
Elsevier. 2021. “SCOPUS Fact Sheet.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://www.elsevier.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/114533/SCOPUS-fact-sheet-2022_WEB.pdf
Ezell, S., and Cory, N. 2019. “The Way Forward for Intellectual Property Internationally.” Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://itif.org/publications/2019/04/25/way-forward-intellectual-property-internationally/
Hassan, E., Yaqub, O., and Diepeveen, S. 2010. “Intellectual Property and Developing Countries: A Review of the Literature, Rand Europe.” Accessed August 15, 2023. www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2010/RAND_TR804.pdf
Intellectual Property Researchers Europe (IPRE). 2023. “IP Research for the Future.” Accessed August 16, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2023/news_0035.html
Lawal-Arowolo, A. 2019. “Traditional Knowledge, Intellectual Properties, Development and Poverty Reduction in Africa.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2716913
Mammo, T. 1999. The Paradox of Africa’s Poverty: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Practices and Local Institutions: The Case of Ethiopia. New Jersey and Eritrea: The Red Sea Press.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 2015. “Enquiry into Intellectual Property’s Economic Impact, Paris: OECD, 2015.” Accessed August 14, 2023. http://www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy/KBC2-IP.Final.pdf.
Philippe, R. R. 2014. “Challenges of Patenting and Commercializing Innovation in Africa.” Bulletin de l’Académie Malgache 91 (2). Accessed August 14, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265421261_Challenges_Of_Patenting_And_Commercializing_Innovations_In_Africa
Rallison, S. P. 2015. “What are Journals for?” Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England 97: 89–91. Accessed August 12, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4473415/; https://doi.org/10.1308/003588414X14055925061397
Republic of South Africa. 2008. Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (Act 51 of 2008). Accessed August 14, 2023. https://www.gov.za/documents/notices/intellectual-property-rights-publicly-financed-research-and-development-act-2
SCOPUS. 2023. “Intellectual Property in Africa.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://0-www-scopus-com.oasis.unisa.ac.za/term/analyzer.uri?sort=plf-f&src=s&sid=14ee5aa53ff46e024282f5ee7829f59a&sot=a&sdt=a&sl=40&s=TITLE-ABS-KEY%28intellectual+AND+property%29&origin=resultslist&count=10&analyzeResults=Analyze+results
Shukla, A., and Pachuau, V. 2015. “Conceptual Approach to Webometrics: An Exploratory Study.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277957810_Conceptual_Approach_to_Webometrics_An_Exploratory_Study
Sikoyo, G. M., Nyukuri, E., and Wakhungu, J. W. 2006. “Intellectual Property Protection in Africa: Status of Laws, Research and Policy Analysis in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, Nairobi, Kenya.” Acts Press Eco Policy Series (16): 1–61. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.academia.edu/66584066/Intellectual_Property_Protection_in_Africa_Status_of_Laws_Research_and_Policy_Analysis_in_Ghana_Kenya_Nigeria_South_Africa_and_Uganda
Statista Research Department. 2023. “The Most Spoken Languages Worldwide 2023.” Accessed August 21, 2023. https://researchcollaborations.elsevier.com/en/publications/scopus-as-a-curated-high-quality-bibliometric-data-source-for-aca
United Nations (UN). 2022. “The Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Promoting Africa’s Development: Overview of IPR in Africa.” Policy Paper. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo/
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). 2021. “Towards a Common Investment Area in the African Continental Free Trade Area.” Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.uneca.org/commoninvestmentarea
Van Weijen, D. 2012. “The Language of (Future) Scientific Communication.” Research Trends 1 (31): 7–8. Accessed August 21, 2023 https://www.researchtrends.com/researchtrends/vol1/iss31/3/
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2003. “Intellectual Property: A Power Tool for Economic Growth.” Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/888/wipo_pub_888.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2004. “WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use.” WIPO Publication 489, 2nd edition. Geneva. Accessed August 15, 2023. http://www.wipo.int/aboutip/en/iprm/index.html
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2011. “What is Intellectual Property?” Accessed August 15, 2023. http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/450/wipo_pub_450.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2012. “World Intellectual Property Indicators.” Accessed August 15, 2023 https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/intproperty/941/wipo_pub_941_2012.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2020. “WIPO Global Innovation Index: Who Will Finance Innovation?” Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_gii_2020.pdf
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). 2021. “IP for Growth and Sustainable Development.” WIPO, Global Innovation Index. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_1050_2021-chapter5.pdf
Wururu, M. 2019. “Using Intellectual Property to Actualise Universities’ Potential.” University World News: Africa Edition. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20190430120618987
Xiolan, F. 2008. “Foreign Direct Investment, Absorptive Capacity and Regional Innovation Capabilities: Evidence from China.” Oxford Development Studies 36 (1): 89–110. Accessed August 15, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24085821_Foreign_Direct_Investment_Absorptive_Capacity_and_Regional_Innovation_Capabilities_Evidence_from_China; https://doi.org/10.1080/13600810701848193
Zungu, N. 2020. “Informetrics Education in Library and Information Science (LIS) Academic Department in South Africa.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4295. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4295/
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2024-10-23
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Ngwenya, Sibongile, and Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha. 2024. “An Informetric Perspective of Intellectual Property Research in Africa Using the SCOPUS Database”. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, October, 21 pages . https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/14909.
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