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Does One Size Fit All? The Multiple Organizational Forms Leading to Successful Academic Entrepreneurship

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  • Matthew S. Wood

Abstract

This paper offers an integrative theory, through the use of transaction cost theory principles, that attempts to match the attributes of university–held innovations with the specific organizational form that best supports the identified attributes in innovation commercialization efforts. Two commonly utilized organizational forms are considered: the spin–off and the technology license agreement. Additionally, innovation transfer is conceptualized as a transaction and each of the organizational forms is considered an alternate governance mechanism for the management of the commercialization transaction. It is further conceptualized that by minimizing transaction costs, through the proper selection of the organizational form, universities may increase the odds of successful revenue generation from their entrepreneurial efforts. The overall goal of the paper is to enhance our understanding of proper organizational form–innovation attribute alignment as a key driver of innovation commercialization success, so that universities and their industry partners can increase their effectiveness in commercialization activities.

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  • Matthew S. Wood, 2009. "Does One Size Fit All? The Multiple Organizational Forms Leading to Successful Academic Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(4), pages 929-947, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:33:y:2009:i:4:p:929-947
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00306.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher S. Hayter & Andrew J. Nelson & Stephanie Zayed & Alan C. O’Connor, 2018. "Conceptualizing academic entrepreneurship ecosystems: a review, analysis and extension of the literature," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 1039-1082, August.
    2. Joachim Heinzl & Ah-Lian Kor & Graham Orange & Hans Kaufmann, 2013. "Technology transfer model for Austrian higher education institutions," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 38(5), pages 607-640, October.
    3. Uwe Cantner & Philip Doerr & Maximilian Goethner & Matthias Huegel & Martin Kalthaus, 2024. "A procedural perspective on academic spin-off creation: the changing relative importance of the academic and the commercial sphere," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 1555-1590, April.
    4. Gotsopoulos, Aleksios & Pitsakis, Konstantinos, 2024. "United we stand? Organizational groups and spinoff mortality in the context of academic entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 39(1).
    5. Wood, Matthew S., 2011. "A process model of academic entrepreneurship," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 153-161, March.
    6. Brown, Austin R. & Wood, Matthew S. & Scheaf, David J., 2022. "Discovery sells, but who’s buying? An empirical investigation of entrepreneurs’ technology license decisions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 403-415.
    7. Meschnig, Annika & Dubiel, Anna, 2023. "From formation to performance outcomes: A review and agenda for licensing research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    8. Maribel Guerrero & David Urbano, 2014. "Academics’ start-up intentions and knowledge filters: an individual perspective of the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 57-74, June.
    9. Wood, Matthew S., 2011. "A process model of academic entrepreneurship," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 153-161.
    10. Wood Matthew S. & Rowe Jonathan D., 2011. "Nowhere to Run and Nowhere to Hide: The Relationship between Entrepreneurial Success and Feelings of Entrapment," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 1(4), pages 1-43, October.
    11. William R. Meek & Matthew S. Wood, 2016. "Navigating a Sea of Change: Identity Misalignment and Adaptation in Academic Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(5), pages 1093-1120, September.
    12. Stefan Marc Hossinger & Xiangyu Chen & Arndt Werner, 2020. "Drivers, barriers and success factors of academic spin-offs: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 70(1), pages 97-134, February.
    13. David Urbano & Maribel Guerrero, 2013. "Entrepreneurial Universities," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 27(1), pages 40-55, February.
    14. Jing Xia & Wei Liu & Sang-Bing Tsai & Guodong Li & Chien-Chi Chu & Kai Wang, 2018. "A System Dynamics Framework for Academic Entrepreneurship," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-25, July.

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