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Organizational structures of Knowledge Transfer Offices: an analysis of the world’s top-ranked universities

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  • F. Brescia
  • G. Colombo
  • P. Landoni

Abstract

Universities are central actors in the production and delivery of new knowledge, and they play a unique role in National and Regional Innovation Systems. Almost all research universities have established Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) to pursue their so-called ‘third mission’. This paper analyses the organizational structure of KTOs by discussing how universities organize their knowledge transfer activities, and by considering what factors may impact on the choice of specific organizational structures. We examine the KTO structures of the top 200 ranked universities in the world and highlight the presence of three knowledge transfer organizational models (internal, external, and mix) and six configurations of these models. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Suggested Citation

  • F. Brescia & G. Colombo & P. Landoni, 2016. "Organizational structures of Knowledge Transfer Offices: an analysis of the world’s top-ranked universities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 132-151, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:41:y:2016:i:1:p:132-151
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-014-9384-5
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher S. Hayter & Andrew J. Nelson & Stephanie Zayed & Alan C. O’Connor, 2018. "Conceptualizing academic entrepreneurship ecosystems: a review, analysis and extension of the literature," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 1039-1082, August.
    2. Battaglia, Daniele & Landoni, Paolo & Rizzitelli, Francesco, 2017. "Organizational structures for external growth of University Technology Transfer Offices: An explorative analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 45-56.
    3. Gabriela Sarabia-Altamirano & Julio Martínez-Burnes & José A. Ramírez-de León, 2024. "Knowledge and Technology Transfer Channels Used by the Academy: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 63-87, March.
    4. Soares, Thiago J. & Torkomian, Ana L.V., 2021. "TTO's staff and technology transfer: Examining the effect of employees' individual capabilities," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    5. 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).
    6. Annelore Huyghe & Mirjam Knockaert & Evila Piva & Mike Wright, 2016. "Are researchers deliberately bypassing the technology transfer office? An analysis of TTO awareness," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 589-607, October.
    7. Villani, Elisa & Grimaldi, Rosa, 2024. "When people make the difference: A person-organization fit approach in knowledge transfer offices," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    8. Amara, Nabil & Halilem, Norrin & Traoré, Namatié, 2016. "Adding value to companies' value chain: Role of business schools scholars," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1661-1668.
    9. Murillo Vetroni Barros & Mariane Bigarelli Ferreira & Guilherme Francisco Prado & Cassiano Moro Piekarski & Claudia Tania Picinin, 2020. "The interaction between knowledge management and technology transfer: a current literature review between 2013 and 2018," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(5), pages 1585-1606, October.
    10. Giuri, Paola & Munari, Federico & Scandura, Alessandra & Toschi, Laura, 2019. "The strategic orientation of universities in knowledge transfer activities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 261-278.
    11. Marcus Conlé & Henning Kroll & Cornelia Storz & Tobias ten Brink, 2023. "University satellite institutes as exogenous facilitators of technology transfer ecosystem development," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 147-180, February.
    12. Soares, Thiago J. & Torkomian, Ana L.V. & Nagano, Marcelo Seido, 2020. "University regulations, regional development and technology transfer: The case of Brazil," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    13. Christopher S. Hayter & Einar Rasmussen & Jacob H. Rooksby, 2020. "Beyond formal university technology transfer: innovative pathways for knowledge exchange," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 1-8, February.
    14. Daniela Bolzani & Federico Munari & Einar Rasmussen & Laura Toschi, 2021. "Technology transfer offices as providers of science and technology entrepreneurship education," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 335-365, April.
    15. Pohle, Anna & Villani, Elisa & Grimaldi, Rosa, 2022. "Personnel motivation in knowledge transfer offices: The role of university-level and organizational-level antecedents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    16. 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).
    17. Marco Bellandi & Annalisa Caloffi & Sara Masi, 2021. "Bottom-level organizational changes within entrepreneurial and engaged models of university: insights from Italy," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 907-932, August.
    18. Compagnucci, Lorenzo & Spigarelli, Francesca, 2020. "The Third Mission of the university: A systematic literature review on potentials and constraints," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Knowledge Transfer Organization (KTO); TTO; Technology transfer; Organizational model; Higher education institution; University; O31; O32; I23;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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