The Psychological Foundations of University Science Commercialization: A Review of the Literature and Directions for Future Research

As interest in university science commercialization has expanded, researchers have increasingly acknowledged the elemental role of individual academic scientists in associated activities—from scientific discovery and invention to licensing and new venture development. In this article, we review recent literature focused on psychological aspects of academic scientists’ involvement in such activities, which has concentrated primarily on topics that we have categorized as human capital, social capital, heterogeneous objectives, and demographic characteristics. In addition, we offer suggestions for potential theoretical and methodological advances to this literature. Finally, we discuss emerging trends in university science commercialization and the important role that individual academic scientists will likely need to play to ensure the future viability of universities’ efforts to both generate and appropriate value from such activities.