What drives successful sustainable technology transfer in emerging open innovation ecosystems
Journal
Management
ISSN
e-ISSN 1846-3363
Date Issued
2025-08
Author(s)
Petković, Saša
Petrović, Jadranka
Radosavljević, Marija
Pojani, Elona
Editor(s)
Nikša Alfirević
University of Split
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30924/mjcmi.30.2.8
Abstract
Southeast European transition economies continue to struggle with turning innovative ideas into sustainable
commercial successes. This paper examines the factors that drive effective and lasting Technology Transfer
(TT) within emerging open innovation ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and
Albania. Unlike earlier studies that focus on a single country or rely on limited methods, this research adopts a
comprehensive mixed-methods approach, combining a two-round Delphi study, focus groups, a needs analysis,
and a survey of 100 companies.
Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on data collected from companies and
research institutions, the study demonstrates that robust Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) exerts a
significant and direct influence on enhancing technology transfer. In contrast, innovation capabilities alone do
not significantly affect transfer outcomes. Instead, network dynamics strengthen these capabilities, which in
turn support technology transfer — but only when embedded within solid institutional frameworks.
These findings challenge the common assumption that innovation capabilities are sufficient for successful
technology commercialization. They emphasize the critical importance of institutional quality and cooperation
networks in transitional economies.
At the theoretical level, the study integrates resource-based, institutional, and open innovation perspectives to
address the “innovation-implementation” gap. Practically, it highlights key policy priorities: strengthening IPP
enforcement, establishing specialized IPP courts, and fostering partnerships between universities and industry,
as well as within innovation clusters. For companies and universities, developing absorptive capacity and
engaging in cross-border collaborations are essential for maximizing the benefits of external knowledge.
While limited by its regional focus and cross-sectional design, this research offers a nuanced framework for
sustainable technology transfer in Southeast Europe and underscores the need for further comparative and
longitudinal studies to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon.
commercial successes. This paper examines the factors that drive effective and lasting Technology Transfer
(TT) within emerging open innovation ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and
Albania. Unlike earlier studies that focus on a single country or rely on limited methods, this research adopts a
comprehensive mixed-methods approach, combining a two-round Delphi study, focus groups, a needs analysis,
and a survey of 100 companies.
Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on data collected from companies and
research institutions, the study demonstrates that robust Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) exerts a
significant and direct influence on enhancing technology transfer. In contrast, innovation capabilities alone do
not significantly affect transfer outcomes. Instead, network dynamics strengthen these capabilities, which in
turn support technology transfer — but only when embedded within solid institutional frameworks.
These findings challenge the common assumption that innovation capabilities are sufficient for successful
technology commercialization. They emphasize the critical importance of institutional quality and cooperation
networks in transitional economies.
At the theoretical level, the study integrates resource-based, institutional, and open innovation perspectives to
address the “innovation-implementation” gap. Practically, it highlights key policy priorities: strengthening IPP
enforcement, establishing specialized IPP courts, and fostering partnerships between universities and industry,
as well as within innovation clusters. For companies and universities, developing absorptive capacity and
engaging in cross-border collaborations are essential for maximizing the benefits of external knowledge.
While limited by its regional focus and cross-sectional design, this research offers a nuanced framework for
sustainable technology transfer in Southeast Europe and underscores the need for further comparative and
longitudinal studies to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon.
Project(s)
n/a
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