Intellectual property protection and enterprise innovation: Evidence from China

In this paper, we introduce a conceptual framework to scrutinize the non-linear correlation between intellectual property protection and enterprise innovation performance using panel data (2012–2020) from listed firms. The results exhibit an inverted U-shaped relationship of IPP on EIP. Our analysis underscores the important role of R&D intensity and disclosure quality in this relation, identifying them as potential transmission channels for IPP's effect on EIP. Furthermore, empirical evidence suggests that when companies are state-owned or located in innovative pilot cities, the inverse U-shaped relationship becomes more pronounced. Conversely, this relationship is significantly weakened in markets with lower levels of competition.