New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Alberto Galasso, "The Management of Innovation: Managing and Creating Technology Capital" (Rotman-UTP Publishing, 2024)
Apr 12, 2026
Alberto Galasso, economist and scholar of innovation and intellectual property, explains how firms build and manage technology capital. He outlines differences between IP forms and secrecy. He contrasts managing existing technology with creating new knowledge. He discusses patents, portfolio strategy, startup vs incumbent roles, and using patent analytics for strategic insight.
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Technology Capital Is Intangible Knowledge Protected By IP
- Technology capital is intangible knowledge and information that firms develop and can be reused across locations to create value.
- Alberto Galasso emphasizes patents and other IP as the primary tools to make that intangible knowledge protectable and tradable.
Patent Duration Creates Predictable Risk Horizon
- Patents carry a legally fixed duration (typically 20 years) that uniquely shapes risk and competition.
- When patents expire, industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals) face rapid generic entry, so managers must plan for timed loss of exclusivity.
Check Litigation Patterns Before Choosing A Tech Area
- Before committing to a product area, assess existing litigation and the history of IP disputes in that technology space.
- Galasso notes investors may avoid startups in litigious fields, so pivoting to less-contested technologies can aid fundraising.
