Use of Patent Information by Metal Products Manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Mutare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The main question analyzed by the study was centered on the extent of use of patent information by metal products manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Key to the study were the assessments of the levels of awareness on the existence of patent information, the degree of free accessibility of this information and the extent of utilization of this information by SMEs in metalworking manufacturing sector. The study also investigated the programmes, services and assistance rendered to the SMEs by organs mandated by the government to facilitate awareness of global trends, growth and development of the SMEs. These institutions were interviewed in order to solicit the views on the impact of their awareness programmes, assistance given to the SMEs and responsiveness of the SMEs to their programmes through the creation of globally competitive innovative products. The researcher largely used qualitative research methods in data collection and analysis. Self-administered questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data from the two categories of respondents. Data analysis was done with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. The major findings revealed that SMEs are not aware of the existence of technologically rich databases on the internet which cannot be compared with any other source of technological information. Lack of clearly spelt out guidelines on how to effectively exploit patent information which is readily and freely available on internet sites was also unearthed. Organizations assigned to assist SMEs are not themselves well versed with IP issues thus rendering patent information dissemination an uphill struggle. The researcher recommends that Zimbabwe Patent Office on behalf of the Government forms active links with the Ministries of Science and Technology, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and SEDCO which would ensure effective translation of IP issues to the SMEs as well as monitoring of application of IP issues in product development. The researcher also recommends the Government to launch Technology Information Centers in all provinces that will be managed by IP compliant officers who would be assigned to assist SMEs in carrying out patent searches on the internet.