Title: Are commercialisation process models beneficial for small technology firms?

Authors: Jarkko Pellikka, Jani Pellikka

Addresses: Honeywell, Automation and Control Solutions, Viestikatu 1-3, FIN-70600 Kuopio, Finland. ' Department of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland

Abstract: Commercialisation process models have been shown to be effective tools for controlling and monitoring the commercialisation and thus realising the economic potential, of innovations in large firms. However, little is known about their potential benefits for small firms. Therefore, this study explores the perceived utility of commercialisation process models for small technology-based firms, using information obtained from eight companies in the Kuopio region of Eastern Finland: four that utilise such models and four that do not. The results indicate that the models have helped the former group to overcome certain types of challenges associated with commercialisation, including setting measurable objectives, defining decision-making criteria and managing resources during commercialisation. The small technology-based firms that have used a commercialisation process model have experienced fewer significant problems than the other case firms.

Keywords: commercialisation; process modelling; small firms; technology firms; Finland; measurable objectives; decision making criteria; resource management; small technology-based firms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2011.040889

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2011 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.229 - 246

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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