University Technology Transfer Research Articles

Intellectual property coordinators' cohorts: A study into the imprints in university technology transfer

The primary aim of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) is to enhance technology transfers, resulting in the commercialization of science. Technology transfer has typically been analyzed at the individual level of the core research staff or with the focus on the TTO as a whole, overlooking the fact that the university technology transfer is administered by intellectual property (IP) coordinators. This paper focuses on exposing a potentially crucial factor in technology transfer; the effects of cohorts based on imprinting. The imprinting theory implies that imprints are persistent and manifest themselves in the core activities of the IP coordinators' cohorts in the long term. We bring to light the effects of IP coordinators' cohorts on patenting and licensing, and test a conceptual model of inter-cohort variability. We analyze the patenting and licensing data of 18,393 patent cases and 845 licensed cases, handled by 63 IP coordinators. In combination with human resource data, we show that in the technology transfer process, IP coordinators’' cohorts matter. Using discriminant analysis, we demonstrate that some aspects of technology transfer activities are more typical for one cohort than the others. Variations between cohorts suggest that they are influenced by the prevailing practices inside the TTO at the time of hiring. Cohort patterns are also distinct in the two key technology transfer activities (patenting and licensing). Regression analysis shows that cohort effects remain resistant to erosion even when faced with subsequent changes as captured by organizational and individual time-period effects.

Barriers to Third Mission: organizational and individual antecedents

The fulfillment of the University’s Third Mission has led the university to become a key actor for social and economic development in its regions of influence through a much closer linkage with the different agents in its environment. Thus, the literature has highlighted both the benefits derived from the Third University Mission, the difficulties inherent in the process and the existence of various barriers that can hinder its consolidation in the academic environment. Within the framework of these studies, it has been possible to identify three types of barriers to adopting the third mission: process, researcher, and ally or partner. It is worth mentioning that most of the research developed to date has focused on the study of the impact of the barriers on the development of the Third Mission but not on the analysis of the factors that can influence or attenuate the perception of these barriers. This is surprising if one considers that identifying these factors is relevant in designing strategies to promote the University’s Third Mission. Therefore, this article aims to identify the factors that influence or attenuate the researcher’s perception of different types of barriers to developing Third Mission activities. The study was based on data from a survey applied to a sample of academics categorized in the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia and linked to 6 higher education institutions in the Colombian Caribbean region. Binary logistic regression models were established to analyze the data obtained. The results obtained suggest that, in addition to the researcher's previous experience in the external sector, their perception of the existence of processes or support services provided by the university for the promotion of relationships with actors in the socioeconomic environment is important to mitigate the barriers perceived during the development of Third Mission activities, especially when these activities are located in the support for the management and execution of technology transfer activities. In particular, it was found that as the academic's perception of the policies and procedures, support activities, and the university's technology transfer capacity improves, the barriers of both the researcher and those associated with the process are dissipated. This implies that universities should advance in the institutionalization of the third mission and in strengthening the functions of promotion, advice and support, as well as promotion structures and thus be able to mitigate the perceived barriers to the development of the University’s Third Mission.

Does high-speed rail stimulate university technology transfer? evidence from China.

Prior studies ignore the impact of infrastructure on university technology transfer. High-speed rail, China's most significant infrastructure, has played an essential role in the economy and society. Using high-speed railway construction as a quasi-experiment and a large sample of Chinese universities for the 2007-2017 period, we investigate the impact of high-speed rail on university technology transfer. We provide extensive evidence that high-speed rail has a positive effect on university technology transfer. The finding remains valid after a battery of robustness tests. Mechanism tests find that high-speed rail can improve university technology transfer by promoting the interaction between universities and enterprises and improving enterprises' technology demand for universities. Further analysis shows that better intellectual property protection strengthens the effect of high-speed rail on university technology transfer, and the relationship between high-speed rail and university technology transfer is more prominent in the regions with underdevelopment technology trading markets. Our study suggests that high-speed rail is an important variable that affects university technology transfer.

Outsourcing university research commercialization to a sophisticated technology transfer office: Evidence from Australian universities

A better understanding of how university technology transfer can be effectively achieved is critical for increasing the impact of academic research and driving innovation and economic growth. Considering this and the rapidly growing public policy attention on university-generated technology transfer, we provide evidence on the effect of outsourcing commercialization tasks on technology transfer performance. Using both qualitative and data-driven methods, we find that universities which outsourced to an established tech-transfer office of another university saw a greater opportunity for academics to engage with research commercialization and experienced a short-term increase in the capture of new discoveries and provisional patent filings. However, with respect to the more popular indicators of successful commercialization, patent applications, granted patents, license deals, and start-ups created, we find no evidence of an increase. Post-outsourcing we see evidence of a sustained advantage in some technology transfer activities, indicating a learning effect from engaging with a more experienced tech-transfer office.

University Technology Transfer from a Knowledge-Flow Approach—Systematic Literature Review

This study aims to review and synthesize the rapidly evolving literature on technology transfer from universities, and the concepts and models included in it, from a knowledge-flow approach to find the factors contributing to its performance. This article provides a perspective on recent work, focusing on empirical studies on technology transfer in universities conducted in the last 32 years from a knowledge-based vision. The study was carried out from a systematic literature review in the Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink databases on 135 articles selected and evaluated by peers from critical surveillance factors such as technology transfer, knowledge flow, and university–industry relationship, among others. It was possible to identify 75 factors that, from a knowledge-based vision and specifically from a knowledge-flow approach, permit and contribute to the performance of technology transfer generated from research processes in universities. We classified studies into four categories according to their approaches, each with their dimensions and factors: management of knowledge, resources and capabilities, management of technological transfer, and the university–industry relationship. This classification permitted not only identification but also the systematization of the different factors and related authors that, from a knowledge-flow approach, contribute to the performance of technological transfers in universities, reflecting their efficiency and effectiveness. In this respect, absorption capacity and open innovation are topics which are worthy of exploration.

Micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities to facilitate university technology transfer.

Within the university-industry ecosystem, improvement and innovation of technology transfer involve implementing appropriate dynamic capabilities. To answer the question-What are the micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities in university technology transfer?-this study investigates in-depth organizational-level dynamic capabilities in transferring university-based knowledge to business and society. Two qualitative case studies were deployed at organizational entities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: the Industry Alliance Office, and the Demonstrator Lab. These two organizations stimulate science- and business-oriented university technology transfer. In this context, the micro-foundations of the dynamic capabilities "sensing", "seizing" and "reconfiguring" are identified and discussed. For "sensing", which is the university's ability to explore the opportunities in the ecosystem, the micro-foundations are "selecting internal competency" and "sensing external partners". For "seizing", which supports universities in managing complementarity with industry and society, micro-foundations include "resource co-allocation" and "collaborative business model". The micro-foundations of "reconfiguring", through which universities maintain evolutionary fitness in the innovation ecosystem, are "strategic renewal", "establishing a university technology transfer-friendly environment", and "asset orchestration". This study provides researchers with a better understanding of how dynamic capabilities facilitate university technology transfer. Industrial practitioners and policymakers can consider the suggestions of the present study when pursuing collaboration with universities.

Expired patents: An opportunity for higher education institutions.

Patent protection typically lasts about 20 years from the filing date and is in exchange for sufficiently disclosing the invention. The disclosure aims to enrich technical knowledge globally, promote creativity and technological innovation and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. After this protection period, the patent expires, and in principle, any person may begin practicing the specific subject matter previously protected by the patent. Since the invention originally met all the patentability requirements, it was disclosed sufficiently to stimulate further innovation by others through a thorough understanding of existing developments in the patent literature. Thus, in addition to scholarly research articles, this makes patents potentially valuable sources of technical information in research and academia, unlocking new technology opportunities. We use the exploratory research method to study a potentially genuine and vital research stream that uncovers the overlooked yet valuable scientific and technical information sources that higher education institutions could utilize to complement academic research articles. This work establishes a necessary research agenda that critically challenges researchers to tap into the immediately available and promising technology opportunities presented by patents in the public domain. Using case studies to gain in-depth, multi-faceted explorations about the impact of these patents, we find that technologies contained in expired patents, abandoned patents, and technologies not protected by IPRs, resulting in improved research quality and increased collaboration with industry, if adequately exploited and integrated with other technologies. Moreover, this could lead to increased academic patenting and commercialization with support from the university's Technology Transfer Office.

A multi-criteria decision framework for IP valuation method selection: “Valuation case” matters

This paper explores the applicability of IP (Intellectual Property) valuation methods in the university TTOs context by using multi-criteria decision-making frameworks. The IP valuation methods are evaluated for their usage in university IP and Startup valuation, patent or patent-pending technologies, and different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Data was collected through in-depth structured interviews and a Delphi survey with 17 experts. By descriptive analysis of responses and consensus rates, we proposed a combined multi-criteria decision-making model of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to be utilized in selecting appropriate IP Valuation methods. Findings reveal that more than one method should be used to make well-supported estimates for patent value. DCF method is the most suggested method. Income methods are most favourable on University IP, Startup's IP, non–patented or patent-pending, TRL 1–6 technologies. Findings can help valuation practitioners, especially from TTOs, design roadmaps for IP valuation.

UNIVERSITIES AS THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTERS: EVIDENCES FROM THE STUDENTS’ SURVEY DATA

Summary. The study was conducted within the framework of The German-Ukrainian University Technology Transfer Internship Program 2021 (GUTT.INUP 2021). The GUTT. INUP 2021 program was aimed at the exchange of pedagogical and research experience between universities in Germany and Ukraine, as well as at mutual acquaintance with the latest scientific achievements of German and Ukrainian scientists, including in the field of sustainable development. The University of Würzburg (Germany) has extensive experience in joining new member universities to the existing Bavarian Network for Sustainability in Higher Education, as well as in organizing and managing student activities in areas related to the implementation of a sustainable development strategy. At present, environmental education, the cultivation of an environmental outlook, and the involvement of students in the activities of universities aimed at implementing the basic principles of environmental sustainability as an important component of a sustainable development strategy are very relevant in the context of global climate change. Using the experience of the University of Würzburg, as well as the practice of other European universities in this field, our team conducted a survey among students from different faculties to collect their perceptions and opinions on sustainable development in higher education and environmental sustainability issues. Based on the results of the survey, we proposed a roadmap for the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv as a future center for sustainable development, including activities aimed at achieving environmental sustainability goals in the context of the sustainable development strategy. Keywords: universities, environmental education, students’ activities, environmental sustainability, sustainable development

Analysis of the main forms and types of commercialization of R&D in developed countries

Object: Identification the main forms and types of commercialization of developments in developed countries in order to use them in the process of university technology transfer to the regional innovation system Methods: In the course of the study, methods of system analysis, comparative analysis, grouping method, content analysis, methodology of the Global Innovation Index rating were used. Findings: The article considers the main ways of commercialization in the developed countries of the world. It is shown that in many respects successful models of technology transfer have arisen as a result of the adoption at the state level of legislation that stimulates the process of commercialization. The systematization of approaches to the commercialization of the results of innovative scientific research in world practice has been carried out; practical recommendations have been given for managing this process. The article discusses the main schemes for the distribution of royalties from the implementation of intellectual property between an inventor and a scientific organization. The main forms of technology transfer used in developed countries are studied. Conclusions are drawn about the importance of the commercialization of innovations at various levels of the economy, the impact of state policy on the formation of a model for the commercialization of R&D (research and development) results, and the interaction of universities with the business sector. Conclusions: The article identifies the main problems hindering the development of commercialization in Kazakhstan. The importance of technology transfer from universities to industry as a necessary condition for the development of an innovative economy is substantiated. The main characteristics of universities that conduct active scientific research are revealed. The main forms of technology transfer used in developed countries are identified, which include patenting, licensing agreements, fulfillment of orders for R&D, creation of spin-off companies. The experience of organizational and legal support of commercialization in developed countries is systematized, which is of interest for the development of technology transfer in developing countries.

MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES AT UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

In response to the requirements of general education reform, University of Education, Thai Nguyen University must simultaneously perform two tasks of improving the quality of training and developing scientific research activities and technology transfer. Therefore, many tasks for the teaching staff are studying and fostering to improve their professional qualifications, informatics, foreign languages, investing in research, compiling programs, textbooks, and learning materials. In the renewal of training objectives from providing knowledge as the main thing to promoting the capacity and qualities of students, scientific and technological activities play an important role. Students experience through scientific research activities to practice their thinking methods and practical problem-solving skills. At the same time, scientific products will enhance the reputation of the university. In fact, the university's scientific research and technology transfer activities have prospered, but have not been really synchronous and effective.

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices

University technology transfer: assessment of invention disclosures by technology transfer offices

The role of university technology transfer centers in the development of the “green” potential of cities

A special role in creating a green economy of modern cities is assigned to service industries, which determine the conditions and quality of life of people. The aim of the study is to identify the contribution of Perm universities in the development of a city’s green economy through the creation and dissemination of green technologies. Using the comparative case study methodology, the methods of content qualitative analysis and bibliographic analysis, we study the contribution of Perm universities and university technology transfer centers to the creation of a green economy in the city of Perm and other cities in the region. It has been established that scientific research carried out in Perm universities is capable of providing the industry and service industries with modern scientific developments in the field of green technologies and green products. The study confirmed the research hypothesis that Russian Universities can influence upon the green development of urban and regional economies in the places of their location (presence). It is concluded that Perm universities are in line with the modern innovation ecosystem and there is an opportunity to expand the participation of universities in the Perm Territory in creating the city’s green economy.

Technology Transfer Offices and Their Role with Information Mechanisms for Innovation Performance in Firms: The Case of Ghana

Research into formal and informal technology transfer between universities and industry in economical developed counties is well-documented. However, such studies are limited in number in developing economies. In the context of developing economies, this study analyses technology transfer offices’ role in university technology transfer to Ghanaian firms. We incorporate informal mechanisms as a moderating variable to explore the role of human interaction in the technology transfer value chain. In a cross-sectional survey in Ghana, using structural equation modelling with 245 firms, our research finds a negative moderating effect of informal mechanisms on the effect of technology transfer offices on innovation performance in firms. The findings are of significance to universities and corporate bodies in economically developing nations such as Ghana. Policies to improve the effect of informal mechanisms of university technology transfer offices are proposed in developing economies.

Research on the Impact of Incentive Measures on the Performance of Efficient Technology Transfer

In the era of "big science", science and technology are gradually commercialized. Governments, enterprises and other organizations have invested a lot of financial, human and institutional resources in colleges and universities to help colleges and universities to transform technological achievements. However, the rate of technology transfer in my country is still not high. Therefore, this article focuses on identifying factors that affect technology transfer and proposes countermeasures to improve technology transfer performance, constructing incentive measures, psychological ownership, market orientation, and efficient technology transfer performance models, and discussing the impact of university incentives on technology transfer performance. The conclusion shows that: incentive measures have a positive impact on the performance of university technology transfer; psychological ownership plays a part of the intermediary role between incentive measures and university technology transfer performance, that is, incentive measures can have a direct impact on university technology transfer performance, or through psychological ownership. It has an indirect impact; the market orientation positively regulates the relationship between psychological ownership and the performance of university technology transfer. Identify key factors and provide reasonable enlightenment for colleges and universities to improve the performance of technology transfer.

Academic stars and licensing experience in university technology commercialization

AbstractResearch SummaryWe examine the process by which university technology transfer offices (TTOs) allocate internal resources, which provides insight into technologies offered for commercialization to the private sector. Using detailed administrative records of patenting decisions and outcomes by one prominent U.S. research‐based university's TTO over a 30‐year period, we analyze the performance of invention disclosures by academic stars and by inventors with prior licensing experience. We find that the lead inventor's academic prominence (but not licensing experience) predicts patent application filing, while licensing experience (but not academic prominence) predicts patent impact and commercialization success. We supplement this descriptive analysis with follow‐up interviews and empirical evaluation of possible mechanisms for this seemingly outsized role of academic stars.Managerial SummaryIncreasingly prevalent hybrid organizations are expected to fulfill multiple objectives. University technology transfer offices (TTOs) are an example of a hybrid organization and are charged with disseminating academia‐originated technology for the public good as well as for economic benefit. We study how one TTO allocates internal resources, using comprehensive in‐house administrative data over a 30‐year span. We find that while the TTO tends to put resources behind inventions by academic stars, the commercial returns from licensing inventions from such individuals are no different than inventions by non‐stars. By contrast, inventors' prior licensing experience highly predicts commercial returns. These results illustrate the challenges inherent in internal resource allocation inside a complex hybrid organization.

Not just numbers! Improving TTO performance by balancing the soft sides of the TQM

PurposeThis study investigates the role of “soft” factors of total quality management – in terms of empowerment and engagement of employees – in facilitating or hindering organizational performance of the university technology transfer offices.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), multiple regression model to test if empowerment and engagement affect organizational performance of the university technology transfer offices.FindingsThe authors found that “soft” factors of total quality management – in terms of empowerment and engagement – facilitate the improvement of organizational performance in university technology transfer offices.Practical implicationsThe authors’ analysis shows that soft total quality management practices create the conditions for improving organizational performance. This study provides practical implications by showing that, in the evaluation of the technology transfer office, not only the “hard” variables (e.g. number of employees and employee experience) but also the “soft” one (e.g. empowerment and engagement) matter. Therefore, university technology transfer managers or university technology transfer delegates should take actions to promote not only empowering employees but also create a climate conducive to employees' engagement in the university technology transfer offices.Originality/valueWith regards to the differences in organizational performances of university technology transfer offices, several studies have focused their attention on technology transfer professionals in technology transfer offices, but only a few of them have examined the “soft side” of total quality management. Thus, this study examines the organizational goals of technology transfer offices through “soft” factors of total quality management in terms of empowerment and engagement employees.

Establishment of Standard Process for University Technology Transfer Using SNA methodology

본 연구는 대학의 기술이전 사례를 중심으로 특허의 네트워크 분석 및 연관성 도출을 통해 수요기업의 수요에부합하는 특허 기술 발굴로 기술이전을 활성화하는 방안을 모색하고자 하였다. 소셜 네트워크 분석 방법론을 채택하여 사이람의 넷마이너 소프트웨어를 분석 툴로 하였다. 수집한 특허 데이터를 전처리 가공하여 특허 IPC, 발명자 소속 및 지원사업 간 네트워크 분석을 진행하는 한편, 특허의 시장력과 영향력 분석을 위하여 패밀리 특허와 피인용 수를 활용하였다. 데이터 가공과 분석 절차의 반복으로 네트워크의 구조를 도출하여 기업수요 맞춤형 표준프로세스를 구축하고자 한다. 연구 결과, 첫째, 기관의 특화 분야인 바이오 기술을 중심으로 한 융․복합 기술의 이전 수요를 확인하였다. 대학의 특화 분야와 기술이전 수요기업의 수요를 고려하여 융․복합 기술을 적극적으로 창출한다면 기술이전 활성화를 도모할 수 있을 것이다. 둘째, 특정 학과 연구자의 특허에 대한 기술이전이 활발히 이루어지고 있음을 확인하였다. 기관에서 연구자를 대상으로 관련한 프로그램을 기획 및 운영한다면, 적극적인 특허 기술의 발굴과 함께 보유 특허 맵 확장으로 전략적인 지식재산권 포트폴리오 구축 또한 가능할 것이다. 셋째, 대학의 특화 분야와관련 있는 정부 지원사업의 연구과제 성과물로 도출된 기술의 이전이 활발함을 확인하였다. 정부 지원사업을 통하여, 고도화된 특허를 창출해낸다면 기술이전의 효과성을 개선할 수 있을 것이다. 넷째, 기술이 융․복합되는추세에 따라 연구자 간 협업에서도 그 경계가 소멸되고 있음과 동일 발명자의 특허 기술이 같은 기업으로 이전되었음을 확인하였다. 이는 대학이 전략적인 특허 포트폴리오 맵 구축을 통해 기술이전의 새로운 돌파구를 찾을 수있음을 시사한다. 본 연구는 실질적인 사례 분석과 더불어 전통 통계 분석 방법과 달리 관계성에 주목하는 네트워크 분석을 통해데이터 그 자체로 표현하기 어려운 이면의 연결 구조와 관계성을 파악해 대학의 기술이전․사업화 활성화 방안에대한 새로운 방안을 찾고자 하였음에 의의가 있다고 할 수 있다.This study tried to find a way to activate technology transfer that meets the demand through network analysis and correlation of patents with a focus on university technology transfer cases, and to suggest a standard process. By collecting transferred patent data, network analysis was performed between patent IPC, inventor affiliation, and support projects, while family patents and citations were used to analyze the market power and influence of patents. The study results are as follows. First, the transfer demand for convergence technology centered on biotechnology, which is the specialized field of the institution, was identified. If convergence technology is actively created, it will lead to activation of technology transfer. Second, it was confirmed that technology transfer for patents by researchers from a small number of departments was actively carried out. If a related technology transfer program is operated for researchers in the relevant department, efficient patent technology transfer will be possible. Third, it was confirmed that the transfer of technology derived from research project outcomes of government-supported projects was active. The effectiveness of technology transfer can be improved by utilizing government-funded projects. It can be said that the connection structure and relationship of transferred technologies were identified through SNA analysis using real cases, and it was meaningful in that it tried to find a new standard process for technology transfer in universities.

Factors Enabling Student Start-ups to Commercialise Scientific Research for Demonstrating Social Impact

This research highlights contributions of student actors’ research commercialisation efforts within the academic entrepreneurship (AE) landscape. Our review of the AE literature shows that the potential inherent in campus-based student enterprise activity has not been fully acknowledged within the AE literature. We argue that student start-ups are a viable means for demonstrating the social impact of scientific research. In this research, the aim is to map the student-led enterprise emergence and development mechanism as a vehicle for facilitating university technology transfer. Through a longitudinal case study design, the focal student enterprise’s enacted process to commercialize university generated scientific research is investigated. It is shown how new technology stemming from university research was able to enhance the livelihoods of local fish farmers through the agency of student entrepreneurs. Light is shed on the enabling factors and wider university level arrangements that triggered and subsequently facilitated the case entrepreneurial endeavour. We find that an interplay of both micro- and meso-level factors enabled the case enterprise to achieve both commercial success and demonstrate social impact.