Open Innovation in Universities: The Relationship Between Innovation and Commercialisation

Abstract

Increasing calls from university stakeholders to optimise innovation capabilities has never been more urgent given the increasing link between industry and universities. However, innovation activities that underpin the commercialisation attempts of universities are seldom translated into commercialisation success. This is mainly attributed to poor management of innovation processes between innovation networks. Empirical evidence indicates that trust relationships between innovation actors are difficult to achieve because of the perceived risk of disclosure, managerial complexity and conflicts of culture. The purpose of this review paper is to examine how open innovation within universities enhances innovation practices that lead to commercialisation success. Other connecting variables that embody trust, motivation to innovate and strategic leadership are equally important. Several hypotheses are developed, and a research model connects the innovation constructs. This paper is expected to make a significant contribution to connecting literatures that inform successful university‐led and industry‐led partnerships. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of government‐supported provincial innovation competitiveness—Evidence from China

“…By comparing the innovation work environment of high-tech SMEs in the USA and Canada, Bommer and Jalajas (2002) find that under similar innovative climate and perception of creativity at the national level, industry structure and the degree of innovation in large firms are determinant factors for the differences in innovation. However, Razak, Murray, and Roberts (2014) further find that it is difficult to achieve mutual trust between innovation actors such as agents and universities because of cultural conflicts, risk of information leakage, and managerial complexity, which will impede the transformation from innovation to commercialization. However, Razak, Murray, and Roberts (2014) further find that it is difficult to achieve mutual trust between innovation actors such as agents and universities because of cultural conflicts, risk of information leakage, and managerial complexity, which will impede the transformation from innovation to commercialization.…”

“…Moreover, some researchers believe that closer customer-manufacturer relation and connectivity with the outside world will help agents especially high-tech businesses acquire more chances to get access to customer needs as well as global knowledge hotspots, thus improving innovation ability (Aston, 1993;Miguélez & Moreno, 2013). However, Razak, Murray, and Roberts (2014) further find that it is difficult to achieve mutual trust between innovation actors such as agents and universities because of cultural conflicts, risk of information leakage, and managerial complexity, which will impede the transformation from innovation to commercialization.…”