The role of stakeholders and product architecture on the effectiveness of Proof-of-Concept programs

Previous literature has recognized the importance of building new relationships with the external ecosystem to improve the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of Research Based Invention (RBIs). This is particularly important for those RBIs participating to Proof-of-Concept programs. However, previous literature has overlooked to provide information on which are the best characteristics of such stakeholders to foster the TRL advancement in a PoC context. This study aims to fill this gap by employing a quantitative analysis on a sample of 101 RBIs participating in seven PoC programs launched in Italy from 2016 to 2021. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of PoCs is influenced by the stakeholder relationships created by the team during the program, and not by those existing prior to PoC. Moreover, to obtain an advancement of the TRL, relationships with stakeholders who possess certain characteristics (e.g. medium-sized stakeholders operating in different industries other than those initially known) are needed. However, such characteristics are highly idiosyncratic to the type of product architecture underlying the RBI. The study provides implications for both policy and decision-makers, within universities and other public and private entities, interested in PoCs design improvement.