Critical factors driving innovations and patenting in academia in S3 area “Energy and Sustainable Environment”

Although the role of the academic sector in boosting innovations and patenting is considered crucial for a sustainable global transition, its contribution remains low, raising the question of how to enhance researchers' performance. In this sense, this paper develops a model that explores the role of research, technology and development (RTD) projects in driving innovation output and patenting, considering the moderating effect of researchers’ collaboration with industry in the Croatian S3 thematic priority area (TPA) "Energy and Sustainable Environment”, a topic not previously researched. The model allows for a nuanced analysis of their relationship within the innovation process by treating innovation outputs and patenting as separate constructs. Additionally, the model considers the impact of the quality of research papers and work experience as critical factors in the research process influencing researchers' success in receiving RTD projects. The study relies on data from a survey of 168 researchers active in the TPA, analysed using the PLS-SEM method. The findings reveal that innovation outcomes positively affect patenting. RTD projects positively and significantly affect patenting but not the innovation output of researchers directly. Instead, the relationship between RTD projects and innovation output is moderated by collaboration with industry. Moreover, the quality of research papers has a stronger influence on receiving RTD projects than work experience. To foster innovation and patenting, universities should promote RTD projects focusing on commercial outcomes in collaboration with industry while stimulating high-quality research.