Technology Commercialization Process Research Articles

How Demand Shocks “Jumpstart” Technological Ecosystems and Commercialization: Evidence from the Global Electric Vehicle Industry

We examine how exogenous demand shocks overcome ecosystem bottlenecks in the commercialization of an emergent technology. We argue that demand shocks that spur new technology adoption by niche users pull “hub” firms into country technology markets, despite ecosystem bottlenecks, thereby serving to “jumpstart” the process of ecosystem development and technology commercialization. By analyzing global electric vehicle markets over the period 2008–2017, we find that extreme weather events such as abnormal heat-related events spur adoption of electric vehicles by end users, thereby propelling automotive or hub firms’ entry into country technology markets, and the subsequent shift of their electric vehicle product portfolios toward the more radical version of the technology. Notably, such demand shocks propel firms’ commercialization strategy, despite ecosystem bottlenecks such as the lack of regulatory and economic inducements for adoption, relative absence of complements, and product market differences. After entry, entrant firms’ electric vehicle product portfolios transition from hybrids toward radical technology products and investments in complements, albeit contingent on their competitive market position in the legacy technology. We discuss the implications of these findings concerning the uptake of demand shocks, and their robustness to modeling choices, technological generations across extended timeframes, potential mediating forces, and boundary conditions owing to firm and country-market heterogeneity. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0075 .

Critical Success Factors in the Technology Commercialization Process: A Comparative Case Study of International Licensing Alliances among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

In contemporary academia and industry, the commercialization of technology through licensing has emerged as a prevalent strategy. This paradigmatic shift has prompted numerous industrial firms to intensify their focus on technology commercialization as a mechanism to optimize the returns on their research and development investments, while concurrently leveraging their comprehensive technology portfolios. However, despite growing interest in this area, there exists a conspicuous gap in scholarly literature exploring how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can effectively and efficiently capitalize on this opportunity in a global context. The objective of the present study is to fill this void by offering an in-depth analysis of the key determinants that contribute to the successful commercialization of technology via licensing. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this paper presents a comparative case study that explores four separate international licensing alliances, each formed between the same licensor, specializing in solar mounting system engineering, and four different licensees, all engaged in the production and marketing of this specialized technology. Data were meticulously gathered through a triangulated approach that incorporated interviews with both licensor and licensees, extensive desk research, and on-site observations. Our empirical findings reveal that the critical success factors identified in existing literature are not uniformly significant. Specifically, four elements—relational dynamics, cultural considerations, human capital, and resource allocation—emerged as pivotal in ensuring the successful implementation of technology commercialization strategies. By elucidating these nuanced factors, this study contributes to both academic discourse and practical applications, thereby serving as a valuable resource for SMEs aiming to navigate the complexities of technology commercialization in international settings.

Optimization of the business process of commercialization of developments for state educational institutions

The purpose of the study. Today, on the basis of modern universities, favorable conditions have developed for the development of innovations, scientific developments in various directions. At the same time, financing universities from the state budget does not stimulate them to profitability and competitiveness, which may lead to a lack of motivation for the introduction of commercial approaches. Another problem is that state organizations are often characterized by complex procedures and bureaucratic clumsiness, which makes it difficult to implement commercial management methods and business approaches. The presented research is aimed at identifying the features of the business process of commercialization in public educational institutions in order to find conditions for its optimization. The topic of finding ways to optimize business processes can help budget organizations become more effective in commercializing software development for electronic computing machines and further promoting information technologies in the domestic market.The research methods were determined based on the purpose and include the analysis of scientific publications on the research topic, the method of concretization, analysis and synthesis, practical modeling, timekeeping method, employee surveys and other methods. The information base of the study was the activity of one of the structural divisions of Tomsk State University. The Competence Center for Corporate Information Systems division was established at Tomsk State University in 2019 as part of the implementation of the Digital University program to optimize the project management system based on the 1C-Bitrix24 platform. 1C-Bitrix allowed introducing digital modules of electronic document management into all systems and processes of the University into the work of Tomsk State University. At this stage of the implementation of the Digital University program, the university is taking measures to put into operation the module for the registration of business trips of employees in electronic form in the "one window" modeResults. Commercialization of software development for electronic computing machines is necessary, first of all, to make a profit and develop the developer company. If innovative developments do not turn into commercially successful products, then the company may face financing problems (including in the case of government organizations) and even financial losses. The result of the study is an optimized process of commercialization of software development for electronic computing machines for Tomsk State University during the implementation of the Digital University program in 2022. The business process was studied and an option was proposed to reduce the time of passing the stages, which in turn will lead to financial savings. The result of the study was implemented in the activities of the Competence Center for Corporate Information Systems of Tomsk State University.Conclusion. The implementation of the technology commercialization process can be led by the relevant structural units being created in universities that would be engaged in the promotion of R&D and at the same time a base for their organizational and technical support was formed. Stakeholders here are: university research and teaching staff, students, university administration, consumer companies, interested private entrepreneurs, the public and authorities. All sides of the relationship should benefit from the work of such departments of universities.

Commercialisation patterns of scientific knowledge in traditional low- and medium-tech industries

Research on technology commercialisation and science–industry interactions overlooks the specificity of connections between science and traditional low- and medium-technology (TLMT) industries. The few studies on science-based innovation in TLMT industries focus on barriers to investing, accessing, and creating value from science. This is problematic as TLMT industries exhibit different innovation patterns compared to high-tech and science-based industries. Therefore, we focus on the patterns arising from technology commercialisation processes utilised by TLMT firms to create value from scientific knowledge and technology. We used a qualitative multiple case study design and identified four types of commercialisation patterns in TLMT industries: scientification, optimising nature, orchestration, and technification. Our typology contributes to research in traditional industries and technology commercialisation by demonstrating firms' commercialisation patterns and the diverse ways in which they capture value within TLMT industries.

Determination of Importance of Key Decision Points in the Technology Commercialization Process: Attitude of the US and German Experts

With the help of commercialization, inventions become marketable commodities that find new ways of solving problems. Turning technology into reality requires an excellent understanding of the development process from idea to market of the technology. The primary purpose of this article was to examine the commercialization process of inventions and divide the commercialization process into stages that culminate in decision points. Opinions of different authors and representatives of R&D organizations were compared concerning the content of technology commercialization, which is understood and named differently in the scientific and practical literature. Later, with the help of two groups of experts from the US and Germany, the importance of key decision points was determined. The research results were summarized using the MCDM method: the integrated Fuzzy Delphic–Eckenrode Likert-type Scale-based Rating Technique (FDELSRT). The results of this study can be applied in practice to making strategic decisions related to the allocation of efforts, limited time, and financial resources based on the determined importance of key decision points. Research in different countries and the comparison of results will identify areas and opportunities for further mutual learning and more intensive, mutually beneficial international cooperation in technology development.

Development of a Technology Commercialization Model for Indian Biotechnology Firms

Commercialization of technology is vital to the survival and success of biotechnology firms, which offer solutions to key environmental concerns, such as air pollution, soil pollution, and climate change. Although a number of technology commercialization models have been proposed, the specific requirements of biotechnology commercialization, which include specialized infrastructure, intense research and development interactions, time-sensitive decision making, and pilot scaling have been addressed in the limited way in the previous literature. In this article, we study the process of technology commercialization through in-depth interviews with managers of biotechnology firms in India and propose a commercialization model that is tailored to biotechnology firms operating in an Indian setting. With the help of a two-tailed multiple case study design, we develop a commercialization model that identifies six new subprocesses and three valleys of death. The model can assist managers and entrepreneurs throughout the commercialization journey by defining objectives, activities, and outcomes of each of the 18 subprocesses of technology commercialization. Biotechnology firms can use this model to minimize errors, reduce time to market, and ensure time-sensitive decision making.

Technology Development Decision-Making Points and Differences in Identifying Commercial Opportunities for Mechatronics, Laser, and Nanoelectronic Technologies

There is a popular idea that technology-development success depends on some creative magic, but leaders contradict the assertion that innovation is a process that can be perfected. Turning technology into reality requires an excellent understanding of the development process from idea to market. The technology commercialization process is broken down into phases in which vital decision-making points exist. In the scientific literature, which examines and analyzes the process of technology development and its problems, there is a variety of views and opinions related to the concepts used to define this process and its content. These motives led to the formulation of the first objective of this article: to analyze technology-development models studied by different researchers and used by different reliable organizations. The second objective is to determine the content of the technology-development process and processes that are alternative or related to the content of the technology-development process, in this way elucidate the differences and interfaces between these models and the vital decision-making points. There are many vital decision-making points in the early stage of technology development. However, only one point—identification of commercial opportunities, determines whether technology will reach other vital decision points. Based on the results of this identification, large-scale investments are made. The decision made at this stage determines whether or not a project will have a successful return on investment. However, the specifics of the different technology industries are apparent, and these differences may affect the identification of commercial opportunities. The article also sought to reveal the specifics of commercialization for different technology industries. The research uses the integrated fuzzy Delphic-Eckenrode Likert-type scale-based rating technique for grey numbers to gather expert opinions and determine the weights of factors. The research results show the differences in identifying commercial opportunities for mechatronics, laser, and nanoelectronic technologies.

Obstacle Identification and Analysis to the Commercialization of CCUS Technology in China under the Carbon Neutrality Target

As the largest emitter of carbon dioxide all over the world, China requires a rapid breakthrough and large-scale commercial application of carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) technology to achieve the 2060 carbon neutrality target. However, the process of CCUS technology commercialization in China is quite slow. Firstly, an obstacle system with 15 factors is established based on a literature review and expert consultation, namely on economic, technical, political, market, and social obstacles. Secondly, taking into account the uncertainty and randomness inherent in subjective judgment, Vague set is introduced for the first time to improve the DEMATEL-ANP (DANP) method in order to analyze comprehensive importance and causal relationship of obstacles. According to the study, in advancing CCUS’s commercialization in China, economic obstacles are simply the tip of the iceberg, with the deeper reasons rooted in political obstacles. Specifically, seven critical obstacles are lack of standards and regulations, inadequate legal and regulatory framework, insufficient incentive policies, limited carbon dioxide conversion efficiency, high energy consumption, low rate of return on investments and low investment enthusiasm of enterprise. We conclude with a series of recommendations to address these obstacles, and these findings can be used as a guide for government regulation and business practice.

Managing intellectual property and technology commercialization: Experiences, success stories and lessons learnt—A case study from Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, India

AbstractA paradigm shift towards IPR policy and technology commercialization have been observed in India, during the post‐World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. Protecting innovative agricultural technologies through IPR and technology commercialization are of utmost significance to enhance country's public research enterprise, promote economic development and national competitiveness. This has impacted the innovations in a positive direction in these areas. The present article reviews in‐depth process of IPR management and technology commercialization attempted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)—Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS). Earlier, ICAR established a three‐tier model for technology management and transfer namely, central, zonal, and institute level committees/units. Of late, Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn), which works to meet with world‐wide commercial success of the invented technologies, have come in to facilitate the commercialization process and thus a renewed three‐tier model is in place now. The paper also presents a case study of ICAR‐VPKAS, highlighting the unique experiences, lessons learnt and evolution in managing IP and process of technology commercialization. This is purposely drawn as an early example in managing IP and commercializing the argicultural technologies, despite the challenges faced by the institute due to its remoteness, difficult accessibility and hilly location. These together, may catalyze similar efforts throughout the developing countries to promote innovation and global competitiveness.

PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IN KAZAKHSTAN

The accelerated development of economies is not possible without the introduction of innovation and the development of the country's scientific and research potential. The scientific and innovative system, represented by the subjects of the relationship, which directly affect the development of the scientific and innovative potential of the country. The end product of the system is the commercialization of research and development activities. The process of technology commercialization itself is a specific project, nevertheless, project management tools are applicable for it, but taking into account the specifics of innovation and with a high risk of failure. The article examines the main problems and barriers to the commercialization of technologies by conducting a sociological survey of participants in the innovation system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose of the survey was to obtain a holistic picture of the modern situations of the innovation system of Kazakhstan with an attempt to identify the main problems, both in the system as a whole, and in the process in particular. The respondents were direct participants in technology commercialization projects. Also, the article considered the problem of ensuring the educational approach of direct participants in innovative activities. The problem of the low level of education and the degradation of the education system is rising, which directly affects the country's innovation system. On the basis of the work done, recommendations were received on improving the innovation system and the corresponding project approach to the commercialization of technologies.

Bridging the Gap in the Technology Commercialization Process: Using a Three-Stage Technology–Product–Market Model

This study proposes a new “three-stage technology–product–market” model to analyze the technology commercialization process. This model revises the technology acceptance model to more accurately consider the market potential of new technologies from a consumer perspective. This approach can be used to supplement developers’ own evaluations of technology. To test the model empirically, an online survey of 350 end users was conducted regarding their intention to purchase the “Wireless USB,” which uses “Zing” technology and was developed by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. The data was used to test the model using a structural equations approach. We indirectly confirmed the existence of gaps in the technology commercialization process by verifying the mediating effects of the productization stage. Results suggest that end users may not purchase a product, even if they perceive the technology to be innovative; the product purchase intention is significantly influenced by its perceived value. Therefore, developers must understand the concept of technology value for productization in order to refine a technology according to market demand.

Commercialization of Public Sector Technology : The Case of a Respirator for Disaster

A technology motivated for a product is the most necessary component for the product’s development, but there are many other considerations throughout the product development for the market, in particular, in the case of public sector technology. Despite existing technology commercialization models, they may not work well for the public sector technologies in a low level of technology readiness. In this paper, we show a practical technology commercialization process of a respirator for disaster. The idea of our target product introduced in this paper comes from a public research institute’s patented technology which generates oxygen from chemical reaction without heat and toxic. Despite hardships for technology commercialization, this product was successfully launched with the help of various R&D programs funded by the government or research institutes. In this paper, we describe the process of technology commercialization of a respirator for disaster and the issues and considerations raised in that process. This paper provides a practical case about technology commercialization of a public sector technology and would be beneficial to the firms which attempt to commercialize the public sector’s technologies.

An Empirical Study on Sustainable Innovation Academic Entrepreneurship Process Model

As academic entrepreneurs, university faculty members and researchers with rich knowledge resources play an important role in the technology commercialization process, and in the creation and development of university spinoff enterprises. In this paper, we used a case study method to construct a sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model from the perspective of entrepreneurial behavior. Then, we used this model to provide a deeper understanding of the activities and roles of academic entrepreneurs. This paper also expounded the process of value creation that is a result of sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship, and compared and analyzed three types of university technology commercialization models. Our results showed that in the sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model, the motivation of academic entrepreneurs leads them to play multiple roles as academic researchers, enterprise founders, and enterprise managers. In creating enterprises as the founders, and establishing and developing their enterprises, academic entrepreneurs realize the commercial value of the technology, while also incrementing their personal value. The sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model provides a new path for effective transfer of technological innovations from academic research to the commercial market, creates social as well as economic value, and promotes regional economic development.

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

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.

The Entrepreneurship Education in Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden: How can the entrepreneurship education deal with triple risk in technology commercialization process?

The Entrepreneurship Education in Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden: How can the entrepreneurship education deal with triple risk in technology commercialization process?

Business model configuration and dynamics for technology commercialization in mature markets

PurposeThe food industry is a well-established and complex industry. New entrants attempting to penetrate it via the commercialization of a new technological innovation could face high uncertainty and constraints. The capability to innovate through collaboration and to identify suitable strategies and innovative business models (BMs) can be particularly important for bringing a technological innovation to this market. However, although the potential for these capabilities has been advocated, we still lack a complete understanding of how new ventures could support the technology commercialization process via the development of BMs. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachTo address this gap, this paper builds a conceptual framework that knits together the different bodies of extant literature (i.e. entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation) to analyze the BM innovation processes associated with the exploitation of emerging technologies; determines the suitability of the framework using data from the exploratory case study of IT IS 3D – a firm which has started to exploit 3D printing in the food industry; and improves the initial conceptual framework with the findings that emerged in the case study.FindingsFrom this analysis it emerged that: companies could use more than one BM at a time; hence, BM innovation processes could co-exist and be run in parallel; the facing of high uncertainty might lead firms to choose a closed and/or a familiar BM, while explorative strategies could be pursued with open BMs; significant changes in strategies during the technology commercialization process are not necessarily reflected in a radical change in the BM; and firms could deliberately adopt interim strategies and BMs as means to identify the more suitable ones to reach the market.Originality/valueThis case study illustrates how firms could innovate the processes of their BM development to face the uncertainties linked with the entry into a mature and highly conservative industry (food).

Technology Commercialization through Sustainable Knowledge Sharing from University-Industry Collaborations, with a Focus on Patent Propensity

The process of technology commercialization involves numerous hurdles, from the original idea to its translation into the market. Patenting brings to light the research activities created through university-industry collaborations. This paper explores patent propensity, as related to commercializing innovative activities resulting from collaborations between universities and regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To achieve our aims, we apply a robust regression analysis to test five research hypotheses using firm-level data on 263 firms located in the Gwangju region of Korea. Our empirical results show that certain industry characteristics are negatively related to the propensity to patent. In addition, and contrary to expectations, it is found that the InnoBiz firms that the government designated as innovative SMEs are not performing any differently from general firms. It is only the CEO’s academic credentials that are found to be positively related to propensity to patent. From the findings, we can conclude that patenting propensity is likely related to CEOs’ managerial strategies rather than the particular characteristics of the technology in question. We also suggest new technology commercialization related with universities’ policies and support to promote regional SMEs including conglomerated firms as well as universities.

Curriculum Development for Enhancing the Imagination in the Technology Commercialization Process

The imagination capability in technology commercialization is the key success factor for innovation. However, higher education in general and engineering-related curricula in particular, has offered limited courses incorporating imagination. A complete and well-verified curriculum that will enhance the imagination capability in technology commercialization is critical and imperative to resolve the problem. Thus, this research summarizes possible course modules and the criteria for evaluating and selecting the core modules based upon a literature review. Final criteria were defined by using the modified Delphi method. The influence relationships of each criterion on the others were derived by the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). Subsequently, the derivation of critical criteria, a weight was defined for each criterion by using the DEMATEL-based Network Process (DNP). Finally, the correlations between the criteria and the course modules were derived by using the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Based on the analytic results, QFD, TRIZ, and SCAMPER courses were recognized by the experts as important for enhancing engineering students’ imagination capabilities.

Challenges and difficulties of technology commercialization − a mixed-methods study of an industrial development organization

PurposeThis paper aims to reveal the challenges and problems of technology commercialization in an industrial development organization in Iran.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objective of this paper, a mixed-methods case study was used. Initially, 15 in-depth interviews with technology commercialization experts were conducted and 43 themes were extracted as problems of technology commercialization. The outcomes of the interviews informed the development of the questionnaire. Subsequently, a survey of 205 experts was performed to examine the responses obtained from the interviews. The main problems were identified through exploratory factor analysis and evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsSeven factors are identified as the main difficulties of technology commercialization, including weakness in the commercialization process, challenges of the business environment, weak organizational structure, inefficient project management, ineffective cooperation with non-governmental sectors, failure to collaborate with stakeholders and conflicting political behaviors.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of this research inform the organization’s managers of the poor conditions and barriers of the technology commercialization process. The findings also help managers to overcome the challenges that are under the control of the organization.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the knowledge on technology commercialization by exploring the main factors that form barriers to and difficulties of technology commercialization in an industrial development organization and suggesting appropriate solutions.

What Causes Technology Commercialization to Succeed or Fail after Transfer from Public Research Organizations

This study explores how the technology commercialization process leads to either success or failure after transfer from PROs to SMEs by conducting a binomial logistic regression analysis. We found that the more additional development a firm implements on the transferred technology, the more likely the commercialization is to fail. The higher number of alternative technology and bigger market risk are associated with a greater likelihood of failure. On the other hand, the existence of complementary technology, the degree of cooperation with the technology provider, the size of the target market, the willingness of the CEO, and the funding availability are known to have positive effects on the success of technology commercialization. In addition, the case studies we conducted from the sample companies demonstrated that "market uncertainty," "technological issues depending on the technology-specific characteristics," and "a lack of funding capability" are some of the causes for failure of technology commercialization.