Ali Biranvand; Ahmad Shabani; Mazieh Marefvand; Saeid Mazloumian
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize factors affecting the commercialization of research results in Isfahan university.Methodology: This study firstly identifies the factors affecting knowledge commercialization in previous research through a qualitative ...
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Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize factors affecting the commercialization of research results in Isfahan university.Methodology: This study firstly identifies the factors affecting knowledge commercialization in previous research through a qualitative approach and confirmatory factor analysis method. The statistical population of the study consisted of 262 faculty members, staff and postgraduate students of Isfahan University in the academic year of 2019who commercialized their research results or wanted to commercialize but failed and were familiar with the business process of the research results. In this study, descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to calculate experts 'views on knowledge commercialization indices and Kendall's coefficient of correlation was used to determine the degree of unity of experts' opinion. Also, AHP hierarchical analysis technique was used to prioritize the factors.Findings: Among the three factors under consideration, contextual factors with a weight of 0.456, content factors with a weight of 0.339, and structural factors with a weight of 0.222 were ranked in the first to third priorities of factors influencing knowledge commercialization, respectively.Discussion: Considering the existence of such problems, it is necessary to design and implement the patent information registration and transfer system in accordance with intellectual property laws at Isfahan University.
Commercialization
Leila Namdarian; Ali Naimi-Sadigh
Abstract
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Abstract Background and Objectives: Commercialization of research is a process that transforms the knowledge produced in universities and research institutes into marketable products or services. Given its importance in higher education, commercialization of research has recently attracted the attention of policymakers in Iran. This study was thus intended to design effective strategies for commercialization of research in Iranian research institutes by identifying the drivers and barriers to its implementation. Moreover, it was attempted to formulate the commercialization strategies for the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc) based on the identified drivers and barriers. Methodology: Based on the data of interviews with 30 IranDoc experts, the drivers and barriers to commercialization in Iranian research institutes were identified and then categorized into internal factors (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (i.e., opportunities and threats) using the definitions of strength (S), weakness (W), opportunity (O) and threat (T). In order to complete the list of factors, the researchers asked the IranDoc experts to comment on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of commercialization in IranDoc using a questionnaire. Afterwards, SWOT matrix was used to formulate appropriate strategies for IranDoc. Findings: Based on the findings, four strategy groups including defensive strategies (WT), competitive strategies (ST), conservative strategies (WO), and aggressive strategies (SO) were identified for the implementation of commercialization in IranDoc. Besides, the analysis of the internal-external factor evaluation (IE) matrix revealed that WT group strategies and ST group strategies were the first and second priorities for the commercialization of research findings in IranDoc, respectively. It is thus recommended that IranDoc apply defensive strategies (WT) in order to decrease the weaknesses and avoid the threats (WT) of commercialization of research findings. These strategies include conducting joint research and development projects, empowering researchers, managing knowledge flow, increasing the motivation of researchers to commercialize their research findings, and also attracting support from the industry sector and other organizations. Discussion: In order to formulate an effective strategy for commercialization of research findings, it is imperative that the experts and policymakers gain an accurate understanding of the important factors (i.e., drivers and barriers) for research commercialization in research institutes. It is thus suggested that the commercialization strategies of IranDoc be developed based on the list of identified drivers and barriers to research commercialization in Iran. It is hoped that the formulated research commercialization strategies for IranDoc contribute to the commercialization of research products in other similar research centers in Iran.
