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Influence of Spin-off and Private Companies in the process of Technology creation and Transfer at a University of Technology in South Africa

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  • Robertson K. Tengeh

    (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)

  • Amelia Rorwana

    (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)

Abstract

Going by the assumption that technology is not created for its own sake, this paper gauges the peculiar role that of spin-off, and private companies play in the process of technology creation and transfer at a University of Technology (UoT) in South Africa, using academic entrepreneurs as the lens. Structured questions were electronically administered to the 52 participants purposively drawn for the study. The sample was drawn from a database composed using UoT X’s in-house research records. Included in the database, were active and non-active academics in terms of technology creation and transfer. It was noted that most active researchers and innovators were involved in one form of university–industry collaboration or another. Furthermore, it was observed that the private companies had a vital role to play as far as the process of technology transfer and commercialization is concerned. This is notably relevant given that the overwhelming majority of the participants (91.7%) reiterated the importance of university–industry partnerships in the transfer and commercialization of inventions. Moreover, highlighting the importance of private companies, a slight majority (52.8%) of the participants indicated that they were surely motivated to bring forth innovative products by private companies in the last five years.

Suggested Citation

  • Robertson K. Tengeh & Amelia Rorwana, 2017. "Influence of Spin-off and Private Companies in the process of Technology creation and Transfer at a University of Technology in South Africa," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 13(3), pages 139-154, JUNE.
    • Handle: RePEc:dug:actaec:y:2017:i:3:p:139-154
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Oyebanjo Ogunlela & Robertson Tengeh, 2021. "The fourth industrial revolution and the future of entrepreneurial university in South Africa," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 10(3), pages 91-100, April.

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