From conceptualisation to commercialisation: The Gradnet story
Author(s) -
Zenia Barnard,
Chris Rensleigh
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
south african journal of information management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2078-1865
pISSN - 1560-683X
DOI - 10.4102/sajim.v17i1.647
Subject(s) - process (computing) , commercialization , academic institution , action research , institution , sociology , engineering ethics , business , process management , management , computer science , engineering , marketing , social science , pedagogy , economics , operating system
Background: A very small percentage of all the research generated by universities is commercialised. The article is a case study of the transformation from action research to a spin-off company. It looks at the practical implications of such a transformation.
Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide a holistic view of what the process entailed to leap from academic research to the commercialisation of the research into a company as was the case for Gradnet.
Method: A case-study approach was used to document the conceptualisation and development of the research-based, spin-off company, Gradnet. This includes the background of the original research that formed the basis of the innovation process.
Results: It was found that the commercialisation process of academic research is not necessarily a natural process for the researcher in the absence of an appropriate supporting infrastructure.
Conclusion: All academic disciplines have the potential for establishing commercially viable research projects. This potential should be actively explored and pursued by the institution.
Open Access