Designing a Value Creation Model in the Commercialization Process of Agricultural Research Results in Iran: A Mixed‑Methods Approach

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Roya Ahmadyousefi 1
Homayon Farhadian 2
Shahla Choobchian 1
Hossein Shabanali Fami 3
1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Agricultural Management and Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
Commercializing innovative ideas and transforming agricultural research results into economic value constitute a comprehensive, system-oriented, and customer-centered approach that fosters the practical utilization of agricultural education and research. Despite increasing global attention to research commercialization, the issue has not received adequate focus within Iran’s agricultural domain, where persistent challenges hamper the achievement of commercialization objectives. This study was conducted to design a value-creation model for the commercialization of agricultural research outputs in Iran. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical design and employs a mixed-methods approach that incorporates qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, thirty-one experts were selected through purposive sampling using the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a grounded theory approach; For quantitative evaluation, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied using Smart PLS4 software. All path coefficients were positive and statistically significant, confirming the robustness of the proposed model. The findings suggest that value creation in the commercialization process of agricultural research in Iran is shaped by specific conditions grouped into three major categories: causal conditions (emergence of innovative ideas, institutional framework, and economic incentives), contextual conditions (communication and structural infrastructure), and intervening conditions (key stakeholders). Strategic components include interaction and communication management, business project administration, and the monitoring and evaluation of commercialization processes. The resulting outcomes encompass social, economic, political, and environmental dimensions, highlighting the multifaceted impact of effective commercialization on sustainable agricultural development. Overall, the results confirm that the proposed value-creation model provides a coherent and empirically supported framework for strengthening the commercialization of agricultural research in Iran. Accordingly, its implementation can help bridge the gap between research production and practical application, leading to more sustainable and economically impactful agricultural development.
Keywords
Agricultural research commercialization
Grounded theory
Innovation systems
Stakeholder engagement
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 July 2026