Configurations of Technology Commercialization: Evidence from Chinese Spin-off Enterprises

Abstract

Despite numerous studies on understanding effectiveness of technology commercialization, only limited attention is given to the complex relationship inter and inner its conditions, which formed from the policy system between different levels of government networks and the unbalanced regional technology resources in China. Using data from spin-off enterprises, this paper develops an integrated configuration framework for and provide an empirical test of five predictors, namely policy supply, policy coordination, technology source, firm strength, and R&D investment, which capture three contextual features of institutional, organizational, and technological complexity within Chinese technology commercialization context. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) of data identified three distinct effective TC paths: The first, dominator, pertained to the effective regional policy supply and powerful enterprise strength, even if the regional technology source is deficient. The second, devotee, characterized by effective policy coordination, intensive R&D investment, and abundant technology source or powerful enterprise. The last, investor, featured by poor policy coordination and poor regional technical resources, while favorable regional policy supply and R&D investment.