University Scientists’ Choice to Commercialize their Discoveries

Abstract

We extend the literature on scientific discovery and commercialization by examining entrepreneurial action by university-based scientists. Specifically, we investigate the decision process and the paths to commercialize academic technologies. University-based technology transfer involves multiple stakeholders with competing interests; hence, we believe researchers should apply a multilevel theoretical lens, which starts with the disclosure of discoveries made by scientists in their labs. We build a multilevel framework that views the scientists’ choice to first disclose viable discoveries to pursue entrepreneurial action as a function of three factors: (i) a scientist's rent orientation, (ii) a university's rent doctrine, and (iii) the rent doctrine of the scientific field in which the scientist conducts research. We suggest that commercial disclosure most often occurs when there is alignment between these three factors. Lastly, we advance an agenda for future empirical research by developing specific propositions about the key constructs and relationships concerning university-based entrepreneurial action.

Citation

Gianiodis, P.T. and Brown, J.A. (2012), "University Scientists’ Choice to Commercialize their Discoveries", Corbett, A.C. and Katz, J.A. (Ed.) Entrepreneurial Action (Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 63-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1074-7540(2012)0000014006