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Academic Patents Assigned to University-Technology-Based Companies in China: Commercialisation Selection Strategies and Their Influencing Factors

Author

Listed:
  • Liu Hairui

    (Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China)

  • Zhang Junhan

    (Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China)

  • Gong Lei

    (School of Management Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, No. 1000 Fengming Road, Jinan, 250101, P.R. China)

  • Chang Xuhua

    (Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property, Tongji University, No. 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China)

Abstract

University-technology-based companies (UTBCs) have become an important mechanism for commercialising academic patents. Existing research on the university technology transfer process and crucial influencing factors has not sufficiently considered UTBCs’ resource heterogeneity and the complex assignment scenarios. To fill the gap, this study investigated academic patent assignment strategic decisions regarding its type and phase, by generating a unique research dataset comprising 37,647 patent applications invented by 946 experienced faculty inventors at five Chinese universities. Based on the resource-based view, this study classified 1,151 UTBCs into three types according to their received portfolio of technological, human, and financial resources. Multinomial logit regression was then used to analyse the influencing factors of assignment types. Furthermore, this study recognised the assignments into two phases according to the disclosure of patents, and then employed the binary logit regression to analyse the influencing factors. The results showed that around 12.11% of academic patent applications were successfully assigned to UTBCs, and 52.62% were assigned to faculty-involved UTBCs at the pre-application phase. The findings revealed that patent value, faculty research competencies and energy limitations, and social resources significantly impact patent commercialisation selection strategies. Finally, this study proposes practical implications for university administrators and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu Hairui & Zhang Junhan & Gong Lei & Chang Xuhua, 2025. "Academic Patents Assigned to University-Technology-Based Companies in China: Commercialisation Selection Strategies and Their Influencing Factors," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:econoa:v:19:y:2025:i:1:p:25:n:1003
    DOI: 10.1515/econ-2025-0171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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