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Exploring the relationship between service quality of technology transfer offices and researchers’ patenting activity

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  • Olaya-Escobar, Erika Sofía
  • Berbegal-Mirabent, Jasmina
  • Alegre, Inés

Abstract

This article examines how the perceived quality of the service provided by technology transfer offices influences researchers’ likelihood to patent their research results. A novel three-dimensional model is proposed aiming at analyzing the combined effect of service quality perceptions—service reliability, infrastructures and staff—alongside with factors that capture the university's regulatory framework and the profile and experience of the researcher. Results suggest that the profile of the researcher is much more critical for driving patenting activity than the quality of the services offered by the technology transfer office (TTO). However, the effect of the service quality delivered by the TTO is stronger when the researcher has less experience compared to researchers with a consolidated career.

Suggested Citation

  • Olaya-Escobar, Erika Sofía & Berbegal-Mirabent, Jasmina & Alegre, Inés, 2020. "Exploring the relationship between service quality of technology transfer offices and researchers’ patenting activity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:157:y:2020:i:c:s0040162520309239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120097
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    Cited by:

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    3. Conor O’Kane & James A. Cunningham & Matthias Menter & Sara Walton, 2021. "The brokering role of technology transfer offices within entrepreneurial ecosystems: an investigation of macro–meso–micro factors," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 1814-1844, December.
    4. Park, Yeonsoo & Suh, Dukrok, 2024. "How are ‘Pasteur researchers’ formed and what contributions do they make? A case study of a research institute in Korea," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    5. Piñeiro-Chousa, Juan & López-Cabarcos, M. Ángeles & Pérez-Pico, Ada M. & Caby, Jérôme, 2023. "The influence of Twitch and sustainability on the stock returns of video game companies: Before and after COVID-19," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    6. Youngseong Koo & Keuntae Cho, 2021. "The Relationship between Patents, Technology Transfer and Desorptive Capacity in Korean Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, May.
    7. Temel, Serdal & Dabić, Marina & Murat Ar, Ilker & Howells, Jeremy & Ali Mert, & Yesilay, Rustem Baris, 2021. "Exploring the relationship between university innovation intermediaries and patenting performance," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    8. Llach, Josep & Sanchez-Famoso, Valeriano & Danes, Sharon M., 2023. "Unmasking nonfamily employees’ complex contribution to family business performance: A place identity theory approach," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(4).
    9. Borrás, Susana & Gerli, Francesco & Cenzato, Rebecca, 2024. "Technology transfer offices in the diffusion of transformative innovation: Rethinking roles, resources, and capabilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology transfer; Technology transfer office; Qualitative comparative analysis; Service quality; Patents;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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