Definition of Technology Transfer

Technology transfer [and commercialization] is defined as the transfer of results of basic and applied research to the design, development, production, and commercialization of new and improved products, services or processes. That which is transferred is often not really technology but rather a particular kind of knowledge that is a precursor of technology. The transfer process emphasizes the value and protection of the intellectual product of the researchers.
Gary Matkin, Technology Transfer and the University, 1991
Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved 1

Technology Transfer is a Process

It has stages, phases, and typical behaviors. It operates and can be understood at different levels (e.g., technology policy, individual scientists). It involves different stakeholder perspectives (e.g., developers and users). It is therefore a communication process.
2

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

So... Where to enter the catalytic process of technology transfer?

Universities and Research Institutes: Mainly on the level of basic and applied research, and early stage development.
Entrepreneurial companies: Any stage from research and development to the market.

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

Varied Roles
IDEA
Start-up Firms Universities Research Development Production Larger Companies Manufacturing Distribution Research Institutes

R&D Firms

MARKET
Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved 4

Technology Transfer (NOT)

RESEARCH

DEVELOPMENT

DEPLOYMENT

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

The Technology Transfer Process

Disclosure Commercialization Patenting
Agreement Administration

Licensing

Products/Processes (Royalties)
6

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

Goals and Objectives: Principal Investigator

Publications Support of students Long-term relationship Multiple sponsor relationship/consortium Timeframe Overall research program Pending research projects

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

Goals and Objectives: Company Partner

Past relationship What do they expect? What will they contribute to research project? Timeframe Company position and likely strategies

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

Stages, Phases, and Behaviors

Linearity as convenient fiction (technology push). The intellectual elegance of your science or technology wont necessarily attract market attention. Lots of feedback and recursive loops (market pull). Successful technology transfer demands lots of iterations. Marker events or key milestones: Award of a patent, proof of principle, signing a license deal.

Lesson: This is a long-term, confusing process-not a single event. You need to be in for the long haul. (universities and research institutes can!)
Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved 9

Levels and Units of Analysis

Economy, industry, and public policies (e.g., cost of capital) Markets and users Organizational structures, incentives, and procedures (e.g., university policy on software copyrighting) Work group culture and dynamics (e.g., faculty tenure criteria) Individuals involved, their characteristics and roles (e.g., having an industrial-experienced graduate student) The technology itself

LESSON: What you do in terms of bench-level science is only part of the story
Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved 10

Perspectives

Basic researchers, knowledge creators Creators, developers, sellers of knowledgeembedded tools Users (individual and organizational) of knowledge and tools All of us are either, or all - simultaneously

LESSON: If you can put yourself in the shoes of other stakeholders, you will do better at this.

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

11

The Chain-Link Model of Innovation

Research - Knowledge Creation Transfer Processes (varied)

Invent
Market Need Competitive Analysis Prove Concept Prototyping

Detailed design
Product testing

Market
Redesign Production Distribute Customer support

The Product Development Cycle

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved 12

Product and Process Technology

Product Technology Many end-users (e.g., consumers) Non-obvious relationship to creating/making other technologies Often simpler Process Technology Intermediate users Instrumental to creating/making other technologies More complex Technologies can be both product or process, and on alternate days, depending upon context (e.g., drill press is a product to drill press maker; part of a process to a tool-and-die shop)

LESSON: Different paths to commercialization, depending on process/product distinctions.

Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

13