Mapping the entrepreneurial behavior of life science academics in Australian universities: an exploratory study

[Truncated abstract] Academic research should generate breakthrough knowledge that, in tum, should provide high-value solutions to society whilst generating significant financial gains for academic institutions. The reality, however, is far from encouraging (Swamidass & Vulasa, 2009). Despite a considerable amount of research in areas such as intellectual property and technology transfer, there is a need for a better understanding of academics as entrepreneurs (Ho & Wilson, 2007); as well as the process of academic entrepreneurship, especially from the academics' perspective (and including the views of academics who have not participated in any academic entrepreneurial activity). This study sought to deepen our understanding of the process of academic entrepreneurship, from the academics' perspective, by capturing the wide variety of views held and roles undertaken by life science academics with regard to the discovery and exploitation of commercial opportunities based on their research discoveries. As a result, this research should: help in the development and evaluation of public and institutional policies concerning research commercialization; support a stronger collaboration between academia, industry, government, and the community; and contribute to a better understanding of entrepreneurial theories in the academic context.