From innovation to market: Integrating university and industry perspectives towards commercialising research output

Abstract

In creating an innovative nation, Malaysia has taken various steps towards promoting the national agenda to commercialise their research output at university and research centres. Universities should aggressively identify research by creating products which have commercial value. Many initiatives have been undertaken for effective collaboration between both parties to materialise; nevertheless, the subject is likely to be treated as less significant. Thus, this paper aims to discuss strategies for effective collaboration between universities and industry for the successful commercialisation of research output. For this purpose, qualitative methods in the form of interviewing eight people - academic researchers and those involved in industry – were conducted. Both parties were selected because they have experience in dealing with commercialisation activities at university level. A thematic approach analysis was used to analyse the interview data, and three themes emerged from the data. The findings suggested that the effective strategies for collaboration between universities and industry are related to the commercial value of research products, intellectual property rights aspects and commitment from both universities and industry. However, barriers that hamper collaboration between the two parties must be removed to ensure effective collaboration between universities and industry in promoting commercialisation activities.