From Thesis to Startup: Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Commercialization Readiness of Science-Based Research Projects in Rivers State Universities
Keywords:
Commercialisation Readiness, Science-Based Research, Thesis commercialisation, Intellectual Property, Statistical AnalysisAbstract
Many science-based research projects in Nigerian universities end as academic documents with limited progress toward patents, prototypes, startups, products, services, or industry solutions. In Rivers State, universities offer science, engineering, agriculture, health, environmental, and technology-related programmes with potential for innovation and commercialization. Yet, many students and graduates have limited knowledge of commercialization pathways, intellectual property protection, incubation, funding, and industry partnerships. This study examined the factors influencing commercialization readiness among students, recent graduates, and early-career researchers in selected Rivers State universities. Data were collected from 384 respondents using a structured questionnaire covering four predictors: commercialization awareness and knowledge, institutional support and university infrastructure, entrepreneurial orientation and personal capability, and access to funding and industry linkage. Descriptive statistics revealed low commercialisation awareness and knowledge (grand mean = 2.21), institutional support (grand mean = 2.34) and limited funding/industry linkage (grand mean = 2.18), while entrepreneurial orientation was high (grand mean = 3.50) and overall commercialisation readiness was moderate (grand mean = 3.43). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that all four predictors significantly influenced commercialization readiness, jointly explaining 56.4% of the variance (R = 0.751, R² = 0.564, Adjusted R² = 0.559, F (4,379) = 122.60, p < 0.001). Commercialization awareness and knowledge had the strongest effect (β = 0.332), followed by entrepreneurial orientation (β = 0.265), institutional support (β = 0.228), and funding/industry linkage (β = 0.172). The findings indicate that while students are motivated and capable of developing research-based solutions, low awareness, weak institutional support, and limited access to funding and industry partnerships constrain commercialisation efforts. Universities should prioritize awareness training, incubation support, mentorship, and industry linkage to enhance the readiness of students and graduates to translate research into viable startups, products, or services.
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