Choosing between Formal and Informal Technology Transfer Channels: Determining Factors among Spanish Academicians

Francisco I Vega-Gomez,Francisco J Miranda-Gonzalez

doi:10.3390/su13052476

Abstract

Technology transfer has become one of the most important activities that must be developed by universities. However, there are multiple ways to do it. We can differentiate, essentially, between formal transfer (which is carried out through the channels established and controlled by the university staff, legalized through contracts) and informal (channels not legalized by signing a contract). Both types of transfers have diverse implications, which is why their study is necessary. This research aimed to study what are the determinants that lead academics to choose one or another channel of technology transfer. To this end, an empirical study was carried out by sending a questionnaire ad hoc to which a total of 1215 researchers responded. The results show that the choice of formal transfer channels depends on the academic experience in informal channels, as well as on the capacity and that of organizational justice. These results have important implications for policy makers and university managers.

Highlights

Introduction between Formal and InformalFor many years, education and research were considered the only two missions of universities
We find numerous papers that empirically demonstrate the relationship between academic entrepreneurship activities and the motivation of the researcher to get involved in these types of activities [5,28,29,32,48]
Those with lower loads were included since they come from scales designed for other types of relationships, which reflects the exploratory nature of the research and its impact on the level of reliability and validity of the other indicators that make up the construct

Summary

Introduction

Introduction between Formal and InformalFor many years, education and research were considered the only two missions of universities. The transition to entrepreneurial universities has been stimulated by the pressures of policy makers who consider the commercialization of research a key source of innovation and of regional and national competitiveness as well as economic development [3]. Academic entrepreneurship, as it has been defined, is a key factor in the EU’s strategy for sustainable development. That is why we consider it necessary to know what are the mechanisms that lead academics to choose one or another type of channel for entrepreneurship, given its implications for sustainability

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Conclusion