The development and transfer of advanced technology from universities to industry

Abstract

Discusses a conceptual framework for the development and transfer of advanced technology to industry from a research and development group. The process of specialized technology development and transfer is discussed as a transfer science and the concept of technological mastery is shown to be useful in this context. A matrix is developed as a means of representing the range of possible levels of relative mastery between the technology provider and the client in a technology transfer relationship. In the case of the development and transfer of specialist technology to clients that have little or no relevant specialist expertise it is suggested that the literature of technology transfer to less developed countries is applicable. An emphasis is placed on technology transfer as a communication process. Two case studies are briefly discussed in the context of the model. These both involved the development of sophisticated digital image and signal processing systems for industrial clients. It is concluded that the matrix model is a useful tool in describing the development and transfer of advanced technology which could usefully be extended to allow the trajectory or time history of progress towards a particular technology transfer goal to be represented.