The mediating role of transformational leadership in the relationship between institutional pressures and collaboration with commercialization of university research output: A pilot study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to lay emphasis on Uganda’s universities in light of the examination of how institutional pressures and collaboration influence the commercialization of university research output with the mediating role of transformational leadership. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 115 university staff in the twenty-three (23) chartered universities in Uganda. The paper adopted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for instrument validity and reliability, and structural equation modelling (SEM) for testing and estimating relations between the commercialization of university research output with its antecedents of institutional pressures, collaboration and transformational leadership. The results confirmed a positive mediating role of transformational leadership in the relationship between institutional pressures and collaboration with the commercialization of university research. In addition, the results indicate that the operational measures developed for research commercialization, along with its antecedents satisfy the reliability and validity of diagnostic tests. The findings demonstrated that transformational leadership contributes to the enhanced commercialization of research outputs and innovations. Therefore, leaders must provide a supportive environment for all players in commercialization processes to collaborate. Additionally, the proposed measurement scale for research commercialization with its antecedents (institutional pressures, collaboration and transformational leadership) will help practitioners to measure research commercialization performance in universities.