Improving the efficiency of University technology transfer

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to improve the efficiency of university technology transfer. Research has shownthat there are three primary ways of achieving this. First, determining how efficient technologytransfer offices (TTOs) are at university technology transfer (internal). Secondly, determining bestpractices that can be shared between TTOs to improve university technology transfer (interoffice).Finally, through strategic intervention by university management (intra-organisation).In developing countries, such as South Africa, there is a paucity of tangible data that can be used todetermine the efficiency of TTOs using traditional benchmarking techniques. This study, therefore,addressed this gap by the creation of a novel self-assessment tool, using non-monetary and intangibleindicators collectively known as intellectual capital (IC), to determine the efficiency of TTOs.Furthermore, there are a myriad of challenges in sharing best practices between organisations, andthese are exacerbated in the case of TTOs as university technology transfer is a complex process. Inorder to address these challenges this study created a maturity model, to be used in conjunction withthe self-assessment tool, which can act as a mechanism for sharing best practices between TTOs.Given that university technology transfer is a relatively new development in South Africa, universitymanagement often lack the background to understand how TTOs function, and therefore how toeffectively intervene to improve the efficiency of TTOs. This study therefore visualised the data on theperformance of the TTO (as per the self-assessment tool and maturity model) in a way that is relatableto all levels of university management.Collectively, this study resulted in the creation of three novel tools that can be used to improve theefficiency of university technology transfer at the TTO level (both internal and interoffice) and atuniversity level (intra-organisation). Furthermore, this study addressed three gaps identified inliterature: the inability to determine the efficiency of technology transfer without tangible data, thelack of a mechanism to effectively share best practices between TTOs, and, the use of intellectualcapital as a tool for university management to intervene and improve technology transfer.Given that these are novel tools, each had to be verified and validated using a variety of techniques.The results of this study are given in article format moving from why and how the tools were created,to validation and verification, and finally to practical applications of the tools in real and theoreticalcase studies. This study concludes that, through this three-pronged approach the efficiency oftechnology transfer offices may be improved. Future work will see these tools tested in developingcountries, and more detailed case studies will be developed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University