Academic Entrepreneurship, Research Commercialisation Capability and Innovation-to-Market Readiness Among Researchers in Polytechnics in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Higher education institutions are expected to contribute to economic development by commercialising the knowledge they produce. This study examined academic entrepreneurship, research commercialisation capability and innovation-to-market readiness among researchers in polytechnics in South-West Nigeria. A quantitative, survey-based correlational design was used, with a multistage sampling procedure yielding 240 academic and research staff across six polytechnics. A validated questionnaire measured the constructs and their drivers and barriers, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, relative importance index (RII) and structural equation modelling. Academic entrepreneurship engagement was moderate (mean = 2.86 on a 4-point scale); consultancy (52.4%) and collaborative research (48.2%) were the most common activities, and patenting (18.3%) and spin-off creation (8.6%) the least. Commercialisation capability was moderate (mean = 2.68), with gaps in intellectual property knowledge (2.24) and access to commercialisation support (2.38). Innovation-to-market readiness was moderate (mean = 2.74), with protection readiness lowest (2.52). The top-ranked barriers were inadequate funding (RII = 0.88), weak industry linkages (RII = 0.85) and limited commercialisation skills (RII = 0.82). The findings support targeted investment in intellectual property training, funding and support structures to strengthen research commercialisation in Nigerian polytechnics.