The role science park in augmenting universities’ innovation and commercialization: a bibliometric mapping of past and present research

This study explores the knowledge structure of university commercialization through science parks. It identifies four major research streams: (1) innovation ecosystems and knowledge transfer, (2) business incubation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, (3) the strategic roles of universities in commercialization, and (4) the evolution of academic ecosystems into entrepreneurial universities. Co-word analysis uncovers emerging trends such as academic entrepreneurship, technology transfer networks, intellectual property ecosystems, and innovation support mechanisms. In terms of methodology, this study employs a bibliometric approach, with data gathered from 909 journal articles indexed in the Web of Science, utilizing bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis to explore the development and direction of university commercialization research. The bibliographic coupling analysis identifies the current landscape of the research, while co-word analysis uncovers emerging trends and future directions in the field. The findings confirm that science parks are not only physical infrastructures but also essential components of innovation ecosystems, facilitating multi-actor collaboration and knowledge valorization. The study’s theoretical contributions refine the triple helix model, knowledge-based view, and innovation ecosystem theory. This research provides strategic insights for policymakers, university leaders, and science park administrators to enhance commercialization outcomes, helping transform universities into innovation-driven economic actors.