What factors affect university research commercialization in China? a case study on Northeastern Univesity

Abstract

University-based research plays a central role in the innovation process. Basic research that leads to fundamental discoveries provides the underpinning of more applied technologies. Generally, universities can contribute to economic development both by interaction with existing industry and by other types of commercialization of knowledge, like the establishment of new firms. In China, A reform plan that has been carried out since the mid 1980s at colleges and universities which enables the university can commercialize more inventions. The university commercialization forms in China are primarily existed through patents and licenses, publications and conferences, collaboration between universities and companies, and university start-offs. This study was conducted to explore the critical factors and issues which affect the commercialization at Northeastern University in China. The general process of university commercialization can also be presented. Six major factors such as market demand and potential, the roles of Technology Transfer Offices/Centers of university, intellectual property management, support from industry enterprises, fund scenario, motivation of spin-off university activities and entrepreneurial university were investigated using face to face and telephone interview which involved ten respondents from institutions such as faculties and TTO at Northeastern University. The data was analyzed using NVivo computer software version 2.0. As the result from the research, the most crucial factor was fund scenario. This study was concluded with a discussion of the implications and recommendation for practitioner and researcher to improve the development.