Scholars’ Identity Transition and Its Impact on Spin-Offs’ R&D Input

This paper explores the academic entrepreneur’s identity transition and its impact on spin-off’s innovative input. Central to this study is factors that influence scholars’ position-holding behavior their spin-offs. Based data of 2005–2010 SME Innovation Fund 14 interviews, we investigate role embeddedness entrepreneurial role-taking from perspective theory. Empirical results show scholars with higher in academia are less likely hold a spin-offs’ CEO position. Besides, follow-up research found holding positions can increase R&D input, which reveals career imprinting scientific logic behaviors innovation We also empirically test effect business concluding conflicts between these two logics detrimental firm’s contributes existing literature by providing new for theory has implications practice. Additionally, it provides theoretical basis technology transfer open policy.