6533b851fe1ef96bd12aa216

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Challenges in academic commercialisation: a case study of the scientists' experiences

Outi-maaria Palo-ojaMarke KivijärviEeva Aromaa

subject

Information Systems and ManagementKnowledge managementbusiness.industryAcademic culture020209 energyPerspective (graphical)02 engineering and technologySensemakingBusiness developmentComputer Science ApplicationsManagement Information SystemsManagement of Technology and Innovation0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineeringNarrativeSociologybusinessKnowledge transfer

description

This paper introduces findings from a 2-year commercialisation project, KnoPro, where a Finnish university and few life science companies together with a number of intermediary organisations searched for business opportunities for academic research. The data of this intensive case study are organised in narrative episodes in which the actors attached versatile meanings to commercialisation. The episodes illustrate how academics approach commercialisation from the research perspective without true commercial efforts. They prioritise research and teaching ahead of commercialisation which constitutes a challenge for commercialisation. According to this study, successful commercialisation necessitates thinking in business terms, e.g. researchers should learn to use sales arguments when promoting their research.

https://doi.org/10.1504/ijkms.2017.10005270