Understanding Technology Transfer and Commercialization Success Factors Using Keyword-Assisted Topic Modeling

This study investigates the success factors of technology transfer and commercialization by analyzing journal abstracts through a semi-su pervised keyword topic modeling approach. Leveraging predefined topics and keywords based on prior research, it identifies key factors influencing technology transfer and commercialization within South Korea. The results highlight the persistent significance of company features, while CEO characteristics and business skills appear less impactful. Notably, collaboration factors were initially prominent but diminished over time, whereas technology and innovation features and government-led ini tiatives exhibited a distinctive “W”-shaped trend in importance. The findings suggest that, to bolster public technology transfer and commerci alization, the South Korean government should prioritize enhancing busi ness processes and knowledge management within public research institutes. Consistent with Chang (2022), the study calls for more qual itative improvements in patent performance, which could be achieved by fostering an environment supported by innovation-focused policies, strategic frameworks, and enhanced TTO activities. Future research is encouraged to employ validation methods, such as expert interviews, to refine topic interpretations and enhance data quality by broadening data sources.