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Beyond formal university technology transfer: innovative pathways for knowledge exchange

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  • Christopher S. Hayter

    (Arizona State University)

  • Einar Rasmussen

    (Nord University Business School)

  • Jacob H. Rooksby

    (Gonzaga University)

Abstract

University technology transfer is often associated with formal transmission of science-based inventions, for instance through the licensing of patented technology to a firm. Formal conceptions of technology transfer limit our ability to understand fully how scientific knowledge evolves into industrial and social application. In this introductory article, we discuss how knowledge is shared and accessed across boundaries, and argue for a broader conceptualization including the transfer, translation, and transformation of knowledge. This view underlies a necessary conceptual shift from formal technology transfer to a more encompassing conception of pathways for knowledge exchange. We discuss promising avenues for extending research on university technology transfer relating to broadening the set of pathways considered, exploring the interplay of pathways, examining new pathways, including broader outcomes and impacts, and methodological challenges in measuring knowledge exchange. Finally, we summarize the empirical papers in the special section and how they contribute to a wider understanding of the exchange of university knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:45:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10961-018-9677-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-018-9677-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Joaquín M. Azagra-Caro & Carlos Benito-Amat & Ester Planells-Aleixandre, 2022. "Academic artists’ engagement and commercialisation," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 1273-1296, August.
    2. 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).
    3. Christopher S. Hayter & Albert N. Link & Matthew Schaffer, 2023. "Identifying the emergence of academic entrepreneurship within the technology transfer literature," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 1800-1812, October.
    4. Ren, Yu & Wu, Kuo-Jui & Lim, Ming K. & Tseng, Ming-Lang, 2023. "Technology transfer adoption to achieve a circular economy model under resource-based view: A high-tech firm," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    5. Irina Isaeva & Marianne Steinmo & Einar Rasmussen, 2022. "How firms use coordination activities in university–industry collaboration: adjusting to or steering a research center?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 1308-1342, October.
    6. Ingvild Reymert & Taran Thune, 2023. "Task complementarity in academic work: a study of the relationship between research, education and third mission tasks among university professors," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 331-360, February.
    7. Wenjing Wang & Yiwei Liu, 2022. "Does University-industry innovation community affect firms’ inventions? The mediating role of technology transfer," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 906-935, June.
    8. Jason Coupet & Yuhao Ba, 2022. "Benchmarking university technology transfer performance with external research funding: a stochastic frontier analysis," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 605-620, April.
    9. Shen, Huijun & Coreynen, Wim & Huang, Can, 2022. "Exclusive licensing of university technology: The effects of university prestige, technology transfer offices, and academy-industry collaboration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    10. Ma, Ding & Cai, Zhishan & Zhu, Chengkai, 2022. "Technology transfer efficiency of universities in China: A three-stage framework based on the dynamic network slacks-based measurement model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    11. S. A. M. Dolmans & B. Walrave & S. Read & N. Stijn, 2022. "Knowledge transfer to industry: how academic researchers learn to become boundary spanners during academic engagement," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 1422-1450, October.
    12. Osinga, Sjoukje A. & Paudel, Dilli & Mouzakitis, Spiros A. & Athanasiadis, Ioannis N., 2022. "Big data in agriculture: Between opportunity and solution," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    13. Uwe Cantner & Philip Doerr & Maximilian Goethner & Matthias Huegel & Martin Kalthaus, 2024. "A procedural perspective on academic spin-off creation: the changing relative importance of the academic and the commercial sphere," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 1555-1590, April.
    14. Kadigia Faccin & Christle Beer & Bibiana Volkmer Martins & Grabriela Zanandrea & Neta Kela & Corne Schutte, 2022. "What really matters for TTOs efficiency? An analysis of TTOs in developed and developing economies," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 1135-1161, August.
    15. Amalya L. Oliver, 2022. "Holistic ecosystems for enhancing innovative collaborations in university–industry consortia," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 1612-1628, October.
    16. Battaglia, Daniele & Paolucci, Emilio & Ughetto, Elisa, 2021. "The role of Proof-of-Concept programs in facilitating the commercialization of research-based inventions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(6).
    17. Sang-Min Park & Nicholas S. Vonortas, 2023. "Translational research: from basic research to regional biomedical entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(4), pages 1761-1783, April.
    18. Albats, Ekaterina & Alexander, Allen T. & Cunningham, James A., 2022. "Traditional, virtual, and digital intermediaries in university-industry collaboration: exploring institutional logics and bounded rationality," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    19. Ma, Yonghong & Li, Baoxiang, 2022. "Effect of digitalization on knowledge transfer from universities to enterprises: Evidence from postdoctoral workstation of Chinese enterprises," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University technology transfer; Alternative models; Technology commercialization; Knowledge exchange;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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