A Framework for a Successful Research Products Commercialisation: A Case of Malaysian Academic Researchers

Research products commercialisation is one of the key agenda of the government to boost the economic growth in Malaysia. This has resulted universities and research institutes to consider commercialising research products as one of their critical activities for income generation. Although much emphasises and encouragement have been put forward to accelerate research products commercialisation related activities, however, commercialisation of research products especially among academics in Malaysia is less progressing and encouraging. It is said that commercialising of research products is a complex and risky process, and there are many possible ways to be adopted, especially relevant for academic researchers to guarantee its success. Thus, this paper aims to examine a generic framework for a successful research products commercialisation among academic researchers in Malaysia. For the purpose of the study, interviews were conducted with four academic researchers who have successfully commercialised their research products. Drawn from their experiences and insights, the study found that there are eight elements that contribute for a sustainable research products commercialisation. These elements are knowledge, skills and personal traits of the researcher, idea creation of the product, development, packaging and promotion of the product, paths of commercialisation, building competitive advantage within the market, selecting business partner, nurturing healthy relationship with business partner and facilities and supports. This study found that these elements are interrelated and interdependent with each other to achieve a sustainable research product commercialisation. These elements are useful for researchers and their business partners to develop an effective strategy for a succesful research products commercialisation.