TTLV: Applying the Pull Market Model to Enhance the Efficiency of Research and Technology Transfer at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Tran Thi Minh Nguyet2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: 18/05/1993

4. Place of birth:Nam Dinh

5. Decision number for student admission:Decision No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: Are not

7. Thesis title:Applying the Pull Market model to enhance the efficiency of research and technology transfer at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST)

8. Major:Science and Technology Management (Application-Oriented); Code: 23035122

9. Scientific supervisor:Dr. Hoang Thi Hai Yen - Lecturer, Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis systematizes the theoretical basis of the Market-pull model in research and technology transfer, and comprehensively assesses the current state of its application at VKIST. Based on an analytical framework comprising four groups of factors (internal organization, policy-institutional, market, and innovation ecosystem), the thesis identifies key gaps such as: R&D tasks not closely aligned with enterprise needs; limited Institute-Enterprise linkages; the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) not playing its role as a technology intermediary; a low percentage of technologies achieving high TRL; and a lack of demand-side policy tools (such as PPI).

Based on empirical analysis, this thesis proposes a comprehensive set of solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Market-pull application at VKIST, including: perfecting the R&D governance mechanism based on TRL–MRL and Gated Process; strengthening the role of TTO; developing human resources in the direction of Scientist–Entrepreneur; adjusting financial mechanisms such as Matching Fund and Gap Funding; promoting PPI and spin-off policies; expanding the network of partner businesses; and building a market information system to support technology demand forecasting. These solutions create a foundation for VKIST to effectively operate the Market-pull model in the context of implementing Resolution 193/2025/QH15.

11. Practical applications:

The research findings of this thesis can be directly applied to R&D management and technology transfer at VKIST. Solutions such as TRL–MRL Gated Process, MOA design at Gate 0, Matching Fund mechanism, delegation of authority to TTO, strategic needs portfolio management (SDP), and PPI – spin-off policy can be implemented immediately during the period when VKIST implements the autonomy mechanism according to Resolution 193/2025/QH15.

This thesis is also valuable for public research institutions transitioning from a technology-push to a market-pull model.

12. Future research directions:

The next research directions could include:

1. Develop a quantitative model to measure market pull effectiveness based on an integrated KPI system of TRL–MRL – TLO.
2. Research into the legal framework supporting spin-off businesses from public institutions, including intellectual property valuation and patent equity mechanisms.
3. Assess the socio-economic impact of the technologies transferred by VKIST to quantify the benefits of the Market-pull model.
4. Expand the market-pull model to the public research institute system to establish a unified operating standard.

13. Published works related to the thesis:Are not

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name:Tran Thi Minh Nguyet2. Sex:Female

3. Date of birth:May 18, 19934. Place of birth:Nam Dinh

5. Admission decision number:No. 5626/QD-XHNV Dated: December 29, 2023, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:None

7. Official thesis title:Applying the market-pull model to improve efficiency in research and technology transfer of the Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST)

8. Major:Science and Technology Management (Application orientation) Code: 20235122

9. Supervisors:Dr. Hoang Thi Hai Yen -- Lecturer, Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis systematizes the theoretical foundations of the Market-pull model in research and technology transfer and provides a comprehensive assessment of its current implementation at VKIST. Based on an analytical framework including four groups of factors (organizational internal factors, institutional–policy factors, market factors, and innovation ecosystem factors), the study identifies key gaps such as: R&D missions not being sufficiently aligned with enterprise needs; limited linkage between the Institute and enterprises; the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) not yet fulfilled its intermediary role; a low proportion of technologies achieving high TRL levels; and the absence of demand-side policy instruments (such as PPI).

Drawing from empirical analysis, the thesis proposes a coherent set of solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the Market-pull model at VKIST, including: improving R&D governance based on TRL–MRL and the Gated Process; Strengthen the role and capacity of the TTO; developing human resources in the direction of Scientist–Entrepreneur; adjusting financial mechanisms such as Matching Fund and Gap Funding; advancing policies related to PPI and spin-off development; expanding networks of enterprise co-developers; and establishing a market intelligence system to support technology demand forecasting. These solutions provide the foundation for VKIST to effectively operate under the Market-pull model in the context of implementing Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15.

11. Practical applicability:

The results of the thesis can be directly applied to VKIST's R&D and technology transfer management activities. Solutions such as the TRL–MRL Gated Process, MOA design at Gate 0, Matching Fund mechanism, empowerment of the TTO, strategic demand portfolio (SDP) management, and PPI–spin-off policies can be implemented immediately as VKIST transitions toward institutional autonomy under Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15.

The thesis also serves as a useful reference for other public research institutes transitioning from the Technology-push model to the Market-pull model.

12.Further research directions:

Future research directions may include:

1. Developing a quantitative model to measure Market-pull effectiveness using an integrated TRL–MRL–TLO KPI system.
2. Examining the legal framework supporting spin-off enterprises originating from public research institutes, including intellectual property valuation and mechanisms for capital contribution using patents.
3. Assessing the socio-economic impacts of technologies transferred by VKIST to quantify the benefits of the Market-pull model.
4. Expanding the Market-pull model to other public research institutes to develop a unified operational standard.

13. Thesis-related publications: None