Study: The real reason women get fewer patents and trademarks than men do (The Washington Post: Business, 2012, Khazan)
Finding: While the number of women receiving patents and trademarks has increased, the number actually commercialized is still low because women hold fewer design jobs.
Note about The Woman Effect Research Index: This study was performed by researchers not affiliated with InPower Women. Our Research Index includes all relevant research to the subject of women, business and power. We do not influence how the research was conducted or reported by the researchers. In our abstracts, we focus on pulling out the most actionable advice for individual women. To suggest additional research we should index, or discuss our choice of abstract focus, please contact us
InPower Insight: For women to succeed in leadership, they must be leading in every field.
Summary:
An increasing number of women are securing patents and trademarks according to recent study by the National Women’s Business Council.
In 2010, 22,984 patents were awarded to women, a 35 percent increase from the previous year. It was found that women doubled their share of trademarks within a 30 year period.
In 2008, women received 32 percent of all trademarks granted. Researchers found that this increase in gains for women indicates that women are more present in the workplace and in institutions of higher education. Some of the top categories for women- owned patents were chemistry and pharmaceuticals.
One reason the trademark numbers are higher is because of the disparate industries that are generally involved in the patent and trademark processes. Patents are for inventions, and woman are historically less represented in the fields of science and engineering. Meanwhile, trademarks are for product and business names, and those are not necessarily related to STEM fields.
Moreover, in data processing, surgery, and electrical computers. A new paper from the NBER found that only 5.5% of all commercialized patents are held by women. This might be explained by the fact that women are not as likely to have development and design jobs. However, closing this gap could increase the GDP by 2.7% per year.
Career Coaching Tip: If you’re interested in pursuing a traditionally male career field because you really like the work, please go for it. We need you there.
Guide to Women in Leadership
Organizations with women in their executive suites regularly out-perform others. Yet rising female executives (and their mentors) are frustrated at how hard it is to break through the glass ceiling. In this extensive guide, Executive Coach Dana Theus shares her tried and true strategies to help women excel into higher levels of leadership and achieve their executive potential.
