Abstract
Background: A very small percentage of all the research generated by universities is commercialised. The article is a case study of the transformation from action research to a spin-off company. It looks at the practical implications of such a transformation. Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide a holistic view of what the process entailed to leap from academic research to the commercialisation of the research into a company as was the case for Gradnet. Method: A case-study approach was used to document the conceptualisation and development of the research-based, spin-off company, Gradnet. This includes the background of the original research that formed the basis of the innovation process. Results: It was found that the commercialisation process of academic research is not necessarily a natural process for the researcher in the absence of an appropriate supporting infrastructure. Conclusion: All academic disciplines have the potential for establishing commercially viable research projects. This potential should be actively explored and pursued by the institution.
Highlights
During the post-apartheid era, the higher education landscape in South Africa has been changing rapidly and drastically
A merger could prove fatal to the established loyalty bonds which were formed over many years of relationship building by the merging institutions as alumni may feel threatened and alienated by the loss of institutional identity and the consequent loss of their own educational identity
In the case under consideration, a lack of timeous and efficient communication to these alumni was a further instigator of the perceived threat as information dissemination through the grapevine filled the communication vacuum that was created by the uncertainty of the merging institutions
Summary
The aim of this article is to provide a holistic view of what the process entailed to leap from academic research to the commercialisation of the research into a company as was the case for Gradnet. Method: A case-study approach was used to document the conceptualisation and development of the research-based, spin-off company, Gradnet. This includes the background of the original research that formed the basis of the innovation process
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