Knowledge Determinant in University Commercialization: A Case Study of Malaysia Public University

Abstract Recent debate on university commercialization has drawn growing attention to the role university play as drivers to local economic growth. Studies related to knowledge determinant have assume that their presence would encourage greater commercialize activities. However, this is not always true. Past studies have also overlook the alignment of the type of knowledge required for successful commercialization with its audiences. We argued that knowledge did not directly influence entrepreneurial behaviour but rather the perception towards behaving entrepreneurially. Moreover, since the experience of academic researchers and entrepreneurs are different, the knowledge required for successful venture would be different. Thus, having the appropriate knowledge would then enhance innovators’ perceptions toward commercialization which manipulate their propensity to engage in this activity. This paper hopes to provide insight to the type of knowledge desired by interviewing the academic researchers and entrepreneurs in Malaysia universities as well as the impact of perceived feasibility on commercializing activities.