A study on influencing factors of technology commercialization competence of small-and Medium-Sized companies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the mediating effect of level of companies’ involvement in consulting on relationship between consultant competence, an external condition, and companies’ competence to commercialize technology and on paths among variables and to provide implications. The research model and hypothesis were developed based on previous studies and questionnaire survey was performed on consultant competence, company’s involvement level, technology commercialization competence, technology commercialization performance with SMCs that used or is using external consulting in process of technology commercialization and tested research model and hypotheses using statistical analysis. The result of empirical analysis showed positive effects among variables, consistently with previous studies, partial mediating effect of company’s involvement on relationship between consultant competence and company’s technology commercialization. It is important for SMCs to achieve successful performance in technology commercialization process, company’s internal involvement to consulting as well as consultant performance of external expert should be developed and, especially, involvement of senior executives is important factor. It is expected that this study provide useful information for SMCs to develop successful technology commercialization competence.