Effect of Digitalization On Commercialization of Research Output Among Universities in Nairobi County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2593Abstract
This study examined the effect of digitalization on commercialization of research output among universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. It was guided by Diffusion of Innovation Theory and used a positivist philosophy with an explanatory cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised 4,166 academic staff in 11 universities. A sample of 365 was selected through proportionate stratified sampling by university and simple random sampling within the strata. Of the questionnaires distributed, 320 were returned; after screening for missing data and outliers, 307 usable responses remained, giving a valid response rate of 84.1%. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Expert review, principal component analysis and internal-consistency testing supported measurement quality. Findings from regression showed that digitalization was a statistically significant negative predictor. The study concludes that although universities have substantially embraced digitalization, increased digitalization alone does not necessarily translate into improved commercialization of research output and may remain ineffective where complementary commercialization capabilities are weak. The study recommends that universities should integrate digital technologies with stronger intellectual property management, industry linkages, commercialization expertise, market-assessment mechanisms and innovation-support systems to ensure that digital investments contribute to improved commercial outcomes from research.
Keywords: Commercialization of Research Output; Digitalization; Technology Transfer; Universities
References
Adomako, S., & Nguyen, N. P. (2024). Digitalization, inter-organizational collaboration, and technology transfer. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 49(4), 1176–1202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-023-10031-z
Compagnucci, L., & Spigarelli, F. (2020). The third mission of the university: A systematic literature review on potentials and constraints. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161, 120284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120284
Dearing, J. W., & Cox, J. G. (2018). Diffusion of innovations theory, principles, and practice. Health Affairs, 37(2), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1104
Ferrer-Serrano, M., Fuentelsaz, L., & Gil-Lamata, M. (2025). More digitalization does not always imply more technology transfer: An analysis within the Horizon Europe strategy. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 50(2), 419–445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-024-10104-7
Gbadegeshin, S. A. (2019). The effect of digitalization on the commercialization process of high-technology companies in the life sciences industry. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/1211
Greenhalgh, T., Robert, G., Macfarlane, F., Bate, P., & Kyriakidou, O. (2004). Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: Systematic review and recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly, 82(4), 581–629. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0887-378X.2004.00325.x
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage.
Kibii, S. K. (2025). Strategic leadership, organizational agility and commercialization of research output among universities in Nairobi County, Kenya [Thesis]. Moi University.
Laudien, S. M., & Pesch, R. (2019). Understanding the influence of digitalization on service firm business model design: A qualitative-empirical analysis. Review of Managerial Science, 13(3), 575–587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-018-0320-1
Ma, Y., & Li, B. (2022). Effect of digitalization on knowledge transfer from universities to enterprises: Evidence from postdoctoral workstation of Chinese enterprises. Technology in Society, 71, 102102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102102
Parida, V., Sjödin, D., & Reim, W. (2019). Reviewing literature on digitalization, business model innovation, and sustainable industry: Past achievements and future promises. Sustainability, 11(2), 391. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020391
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.022
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.
