Commercialization of R & D results in Tanzania: a study of R & D institutions in Dar es Salaam.

This is a dissertation on a study which looked at factors affecting commercialization of R&D results. The commercialization problem has been cited by many researchers and authors as one of the most critical problems facing R&D institutions in Tanzania (Sheya et al., 1994; Majinge, 1994; Kisimbo, 1994). The study mainly consisted of case studies with IPI and TIRDO as the R&D institutions and NECO as technology producers. The study has made some valuable contributions and recommendations which can be implemented and could positively affect the commercialization process of R&D results. The most important consideration is that appropriate market-driven technologies or products should be the focus of R&D institutions and technologies that are feasible for effective utilization. The main findings of factors affecting the commercialization process are: • Poor funding of R&D institutions. • Ineffective linkages between R&D institutions and technology producers. • Tendency of R&D institutions to commercialize directly to the end-users as opposed to through technology producers. • A general lack of market driven R&D projects. • Inadequate marketing research and skilled personnel to disseminate the technologies and to effectively manage projects for commercialization. • Entrepreneurs, on the other hand have been (up to now) considered least in promoting R&D projects or technologies developed thus adversely affecting the process of commercialization. The other problems and factors affecting commercialization of R&D results are presented and discussed in the dissertation.