Protecting Options in Global Markets: Evidence on the Use of Strategic Disclosure

We examine the impact of globally diverse market operations on a firm’s choice to openly disclose some of its technology. We suggest that this strategic disclosure offers solutions to specific needs in the commercialization strategy of globally operating firms where exclusivity or secrecy may not offer the best protections. Our empirical findings indicate that with greater market diversity a firm’s tendency to strategically disclose increases. The availability of complementary assets and the type of innovation moderate this relationship. We discuss our findings and explore the potential of non-patent disclosure to protect market options for a growing group of globally operating firms that are not multi-billion dollar operations.