Identification and Priority Setting of Alternative Mechanisms of Commercialization of University Agricultural Research

This two-phase research aimed to identify and prioritize alternatives of commercialization of university agricultural research. By a three-round Delphi study, the first phase was conducted in order to identify alternatives and criteria of alternative mechanisms for commercialization of university agricultural research. Using AHP, 6 alternatives and 8 criteria of commercialization of university agricultural research were prioritized in the second phase. Respecting these alternatives and criteria, a decision making tree was outlined. Data was collected through pair wise comparison 15 questionnaires filled by a sample of experienced agricultural faculty members and Expert Choice software used to analysis data. Based on the relative weight, the alternatives prioritized as: (1) Joint venture between university and industrial and private sector for developing and commercial exploiting of university research and technology, (2) Setting up a firm for commercial exploitation of university research and technology (Spin off), (3)Sale of intellectual property rights arising from university research, (4)Licensing patents arising from university research, (5) Delivering engineering and technical services and, (6) Setting up a firm by faculty members for commercial exploitation of university research and technology (start up or Spin out).