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

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  • Nugent, Annita
  • Chan, Ho Fai

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Nugent, Annita & Chan, Ho Fai, 2023. "Outsourcing university research commercialization to a sophisticated technology transfer office: Evidence from Australian universities," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:125:y:2023:i:c:s0166497223000731
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102762
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    1. Chen, Xiaolei & Guan, Zhongcheng & Yang, Guoliang & Pan, Hao & Xiong, Xi, 2024. "Evaluation of technology transfer performance for Chinese universities based on a dual-game cross-efficiency model," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology transfer; Outsourcing; University research commercialization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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