Examining Patent Examiners: Present Bias, Procrastination and Task Performance
          Author: Ryo Nakajima、Michitaka Sasaki、Ryuichi Tamura        
        
          Date: 2020/9/19        
        
          No: DP2020-015        
        
          JEL Classification codes: D03, J01, K29, O34        
                
          Language: English        
        
                  
        
        
          [ Abstract / Highlights ]
        
          
  This paper explores the unproductive procrastination behavior of patent examiners, probes whether such behavior is caused by present-biased preferences, and estimates the magnitude. We set out a quasihyperbolic discounting model where a patent examiner is assigned a biweekly quota of patent application reviews and determines the level of effort by the deadline. We estimate the present-bias factor of each patent examiner based on patent prosecution data in the U.S. and find that the proportion of present-biased individuals exceeds the majority. We demonstrate that the job separation rate is higher for less present-biased patent examiners, and a fragmented work quota can improve patent examination quality and timeliness.
 
               
          