Title: The relational dynamics in the extended teams of academic spin-offs: a Norwegian case-study

Authors: Randi Elisabeth Taxt; Øystein Stavø Høvig; Inger Beate Pettersen

Addresses: Department of Geography, Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap AS (VIS), University of Bergen (UiB), Norway ' Mohn Centre for Innovation and Regional Development, Western Norway, Norway; University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Norway ' Mohn Centre for Innovation and Regional Development, Western Norway, Norway; University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Norway

Abstract: This research investigates technology transfer offices executives' role in commercialising academic spin-off projects. The study does also include other actors in the process, including academic entrepreneurs, department leaders, the chief executive officers of the companies, and investors. This group of actors is given the name the extended team. These actors possess different roles, identities, and competencies and need to cope with inherent challenges, conflicts, and dilemmas in the process of performing third mission activities of the university. By taking a relational approach to commercialisation processes, this qualitative study contributes to the literature by showing how an extended team of various actors communicate and co-create in a dynamic process, displaying balancing roles and tensions. The research also demonstrates that actors gaining experience within the field in turn will initiate systems and build capabilities within their universities to support commercialisation activities including the development of academic spin-offs.

Keywords: academic entrepreneurs; academic spin-offs; ASO; building capabilities within universities; commercialisation of research; qualitative study; communication and learning; extended team of academic spin-offs; knowledge and technology transfer; relational dynamics; technology transfer executives; third mission activities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRIC.2022.125895

International Journal of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, 2022 Vol.4 No.1, pp.31 - 51

Received: 22 Feb 2022
Received in revised form: 07 Apr 2022
Accepted: 07 Apr 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2022 *