Development and validation of the intellectual property services scale in China

Existing studies have emphasized the crucial role of intellectual property services (IPS) in the advancement of science and technology, but there was still a lack of a valid scale for assessing IPS. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a reliable instrument to fill this gap. A three-step process of scale development was described: item generation through grounded theory research (n = 14), scale development through exploratory factor analysis (n = 219) and scale assessment through confirmatory factor analysis (n = 191). By analyzing and coding the interview data drawn from IPS agencies in China, the study verified that IPS could be represented as a three-dimensional construct consisting of vocational skills services (VSS), commercial operation services (COS), and value-added business services (VBS). The subsequent exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to test and modify the IPS scale with 11 items was shown to have acceptable internal consistency reliability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity. The IPS scale could serve as an operational tool for IPS practitioners to measure and identify the problems of service quality and service mode. Additionally, it held significant theoretical value and practical implications for the advancement of intellectual property services industry in China.