The impact mechanism of ownership change on university innovation

The mixed-ownership reform of job invention achievements (MOJIA) is an important exploration of China's sound long-term incentive mechanism for transforming job-related inventions. Based on the data of MOJIA pilot universities and regions from 2012 to 2022, this paper analyzes the relationship and mechanism between MOJIA and university innovation (UI) in China by combining resource dependence theory and institutional theory. The study found that MOJIA has a promotive effect on UI. The findings continue to hold after using parallel trend tests, lagged regressions, alternative UI measures, endogeneity control, and placebo tests. MOJIA can enhance the technology achievement marketability in the regions where universities are located. Moreover, MOJIA can facilitate the technological achievements marketability by improving UI. Heterogeneity analysis found that the lower the administrative level and the university's social reputation, the stronger the promotion effect of MOJIA on UI. The research in this paper provides implications for further improving MOJIA.