The influence of contextual factors on commercialisation of scientific research in Zimbabwean universities

Abstract

While preceding studies on commercialization of university research have indicated remarkable positive correlation in universities elsewhere, the commercialization of scientific research remains a major challenge among universities in most developing economies such as Zimbabwe as evidenced by no university based spin off companies, minimum revenue generated from university based research projects and few Intellectual Property applications submitted to ARIPO by Zimbabwean universities. The pace of research commercialization among academics has been low and discouraging thus the gap in literature research and practice. The research sought to investigate the disparity and contradiction of non commercialization of research from the contextual issues that govern the University research commercialization process. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of contextual factors have on the commercialization of scientific research conducted at universities in Zimbabwe. The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed approach where quantitative data is collected through questionnaire collection method followed by qualitative data collected from key informant semi-structured interviews. The cross sectional survey gathered quantitative data from a stratified random sampling of 269 scientists across the universities in Zimbabwe and qualitative data from a purposive sampling 12 key informants. Data was approved through exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity and discriminant validity prior to completing structural equation modelling using SPSS® version 21 and AMOS® version 21. Qualitative data was analysed using NVivo thematic analysis where data was coded and categorized into themes and meanings. The study findings indicate that internal contextual factors and external contextual factors positively influence research commercialisation. Results imply that academic researchers’ intention to commercialize research is strongly influenced by benefit derived from the engagement. University processes were viewed as lacking in openness, as well as lack of knowledge on the research market cycle and the researchers lacked capacity to compose a business plan. The study discovered that scientists lack time constraints, long-term strategies and continuity, and the necessary facilities for conducting proper research. The study recommends that universities focus on addressing the individual financial and benefits motivational factors and the subjective norm of recognition in order to enhance commercialisation of academic research in Zimbabwe. Universities are recommended to engage industry as early as the proof of concept stage in order to determine the market potential and profitability of the invention. Government is recommended to provide a clear procedure of assessing research funding. Government should avail funding to continuous update equipment in the innovation hubs to keep with technological trends. Innovation hub personnel should facilitate good university-industry relations throughout the research cycle.