Exploring the Impact of Innovation Support Mechanisms on RDI Result Utilization: Survey Evidence from Hungary

Abstract

The effective economic and societal exploitation of research, development, and innovation (RDI) project outcomes plays a critical role in the performance of national innovation ecosystems. In recent years, national policy frameworks in Hungary have introduced a wide range of support schemes designed to promote diverse commercialization strategies. These mechanisms include resource mobilization support, utilization through RDI grants, independent technology transfer, as well as collaborative approaches involving industrial or academic partners. This study investigates the extent to which these distinct forms of support facilitate the practical application and utilization of project-based research results. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey administered to domestic innovation-oriented organizations (n = 287), assessing their experiences with various utilization pathways. Quantitative statistical methods were applied to explore the relationship between support types and utilization outcomes. The findings indicate that consortium-based and industry-partnered models are significantly associated with enhanced market-oriented exploitation, whereas independently pursued commercialization efforts tend to lead primarily to academic or scientific outputs. Furthermore, the institutional presence of structured innovation management functions emerged as a key moderating factor influencing utilization success. This study contributes to the ongoing refinement of innovation policy instruments by offering empirical insights into the effectiveness of targeted support mechanisms, and by highlighting critical enablers of successful RDI result exploitation in the Hungarian innovation landscape.