Key Factors in the Transfer of Technology from Universities in the United States

Summary form only given. For the most part, technology transfer from universities in the United States is still not considered to be an efficient process. Reasons for this inefficiency vary, with the most obvious being the dramatically different missions of universities and businesses. Still, universities are viewed as essential sources of innovation for generating and sustaining economic growth. Of special interest in countries with emerging technology-based economies is the role of technology transfer and universities in these efforts. This research looked at six recent studies of commercialization efforts in universities in the United States in an effort to identify key factors influencing the transfer of technology between universities and businesses. These include: university/business collaboration, general university business practices, organizational characteristics, resource networks, innovation speed, and technology selectivity and support processes. The "lessons learned" from these areas are then examined as to their applicability in less developed economies attempting to tap technological innovations in university laboratories for economic growth