University-Industry Technology Transfer: Issues and Probable Remedies

Kitagaana Zaidi ,Genza Gyaviira Musoke

doi:10.7176/jep/11-17-06

Abstract

The importance of technology transfer (TT) from Universities to industry cannot be overstated. Such transfer does not only stimulate development, but is also a way of bringing research into practical use. However, the issue of how Universities and industry partner for enhancement of TT activities is not well articulated. This study attempts to answer the following questions: How does policy on intellectual property rights affect TT from Universities? How does government funding affect TT from Universities? This research highlights the mechanisms adopted by Ugandan Universities for TT and the avenues for protecting intellectual property rights. It is hoped that the findings of this study will provide useful lessons to policy makers who are concerned with evaluating the effectiveness of TT from Universities. The Endogenous Growth Model was used to assess this TT. The research project was a qualitative descriptive single case study using Makerere University as a case institution. The Nvivo 9 data analysis technique was employed to organize and analyse the data. Findings indicate that inadequate funding; problems with ownership of intellectual property, lack of ethics by faculty and researchers, low motivation of staff and conflict of interest are the major impediments to University-industry TT in Uganda. The study recommends increased funding for University-industry TT activities and formalization of intellectual property rights in higher education institutions. Keywords : University, Industry, Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property Rights, Endogenous Growth Model, Technology Diffusion. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-17-06 Publication date: June 30th 2020

Highlights

technology transfer (TT) is a linkage process that relates the driving of an idea with the delivery channel towards the intermediate or final user (Shubert et al, 2014)
The findings of this study show that TT at Makerere University suffers from a number of factors, among which is improper management of intellectual property (IP); absence of mechanism to track TT; conflict of interest and under funding for University research activities
Intellectual Property Rights management remains a complex issue for successful TT

Summary

Introduction

TT is a linkage process that relates the driving of an idea with the delivery channel towards the intermediate or final user (Shubert et al, 2014). TT was taken to mean the process that involves the move of knowledge generated by the University to an enterprise allowing innovation and extend its technology capacity, giving the possibility to obtain a competitive advantage in the market (Sierra et al, 2017). For Universities, typical motivations to collaborate with industry in form of TT include the improvement of teaching, access to funding, reputation enhancement, and access to empirical data from industry. The motivations to collaborate with Universities may include gaining access to complementary technological knowledge , tapping into a pool of skilled workers, providing training to existing or future employees, gaining access to the University’s facilities and equipment, gaining access to public funding and incentives. Firms may seek to reduce risks by sharing the costs of R&D, and to influence the overall teaching and research agenda of Universities (World Bank, 2013)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion