Skip to main content
Log in

Technology Transfer: A Contextual Approach

  • Published:
The Journal of Technology Transfer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A corporation views effective technology transfer as a necessary element for successful operations. Politicians and Government agencies view technology transfer as critical to a competitive domestic economy. This paper compares and contrasts the technology transfer motives and methods of a corporation and a Government research and technology agency to analyze differences. The analysis reveals that the context, or environment, and the motives of the particular organizational level both reflect the method of technology transfer employed. Motives are not necessarily homogenous across organization levels. Therefore, the successful implementation of technology transfer depends upon creating an environment that will capitalize on the motives that exist at each level, and taking an approach that reflects those motives. The Government approach is to broadcast available technology, whereas that of the corporation is to control its release by targeting recipients. For more effective technology transfer, the Government approach should be augmented by a second stage that considers the individual employee's motivation. Therefore, on the basis of the findings, a two-stage approach to successful Government technology transfer is recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Audretsch, D.B., B. Bozeman, K.L. Combs, M. Feldman, A.N. Link, D.S. Siegel, P. Stephan, G. Tassey, and, C. Wessner, 2002, ‘The Economics of Science and Technology,’ Journal Technology Transfer 27(2), 155–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bessant, J., 1999, ‘The Rise and Fall of 'supernet': A Case Study of Technology Transfer Policy for Smaller Firms,’ Research Policy 28(6), 601–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, R.K., 1992a, ‘Doing Federal Technology Transfer, Part 1,’ Journal Technology Transfer 17(2: 3), 8–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, R.K., 1992b, ‘Menu of Best Practices, Part 2,’ Journal Technology Transfer 17(2: 3), 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiteman, D.K., A.I. Stonehill, and M.H. Moffett, 1998, Multinational Business Finance, Reading MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hameri, A.P. and M. Nordberg, 1999, ‘Tendering and Contracting of New, Emerging Technologies,’ Technovation 19(8), 457–465.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoetker, G., 1997, ‘International Technology Transfer and the World Wide Web,’ Database 20(3).

  • Hongxin, Z. and D.A. Grier, 1991, ‘Factors Influencing Technology Transfer,’ Journal Technology Transfer 16(4), 50–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain, R.K. and C. Chifos, 1997, ‘Facilitating the Commercialization of Public Technology: Adopting the University as a Partner,’ International Journal Industrial Engineering — Applications and Practice 4(4), 212–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jassawalla, A.R. and H.C. Sashittal, 1998, ‘Accelerating Technology Transfer: Thinking About Organizational Pronoia,’ Journal Engineering Technology and Management 15(2:3), 153–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung, W., 1980, ‘Barriers to Technology Transfer and Their Elimination,’ Journal Technology Transfer 4(2), 15–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, R.T. and R.R. Chinta, 1990, ‘International Technology Transfer: Strategies for Success,’ Academic Management Executive 4(2), 33–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingsley, G., B. Bozeman, and K. Coker, 1996, ‘Technology Transfer and Absorption: An ‘R&D Value-Mapping’ Approach to Evaluation,’ Research Policy 25(6), 967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuttner, R., 1991, ‘How ‘National Security’ Hurts National Competitiveness,’ Harvard Business Review 69(1), 140–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundquist, G., 1999, Technology and the Agents of Change: Change-Agent Skills Are as Important to Our Success as Are Professional Skills, Parker, CO: Market Engineering International Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, C.J., 1995, The Environment of Technology Transfer New York, NY: Elsevier Science Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • NASA Aeronautics, 1993, Impact of Technology Transfer Activities is Uncertain, Report to Congressional Requestors, Congressional Report.

  • Ohio's SBIR Program homepage, 2001, http: //www.odod.state. oh.us/tech/sbir, Accessed Mar. 27.

  • Osman-Gani, A.A.M., 1999, ‘International Technology Transfer for Competitive Advantage: A Conceptual Analysis of the Role of HRD,’ Competitiveness Review, 9(1), 9–18 SP, CR Special Issue.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rehder, R.R. and J.K. Thompson, 2000, ‘The Japanese Transplant Beachhead in Europe,’ Article Presentation, October 26, Nissan U. K.

  • Rood, S.A., 2000, Government Laboratory Technology Transfer: Process andImpact, Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, J.B., 1995, ‘A Study of the Factors Associated With Successful Technology Transfer and Their Applicability to Air Force Technology Transfers,’ B. S. Thesis, Air Force Institute of Technology Air University.

  • Russo, J. and R.C. Herrenkohl, 1990, ‘Factors Affecting the Transfer of Technology from Industry/University Cooperatives to Sponsoring Companies,’ Journal Technology Transfer 15(3), 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soeder, W.E., A.S. Nashar,, and V. Padmanabhan, 1990, ‘A Guide to the Best Technology-Transfer Practices,’ Journal Technology Transfer 15(1:2), 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spivey, W.A., M. Munson, and W.T. Flannery, 1994, ‘Understanding the Environs that Impact Technology Transfer and Technology Transition,’ Journal Technology Transfer 19(2), 63–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spivey, W.A., J.M. Munson, M.A. Nelson, and G.B. Dietrich, 1997, ‘Coordinating the Technology Transfer and Transition of Information Technology: A Phenomenological Perspective,’ IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 44(4), 359–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsang, W.K.E., 1997, ‘Choice of International Technology Transfer Mode: A Resource-Based View,’ Management International Review 37(2), 151–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei, L., 1995, ‘International Technology Transfer and Development of Technological Capabilities: A Theoretical Framework,’ Technology Society 17(1), 103.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kremic, T. Technology Transfer: A Contextual Approach. The Journal of Technology Transfer 28, 149–158 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022942532139

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022942532139

Keywords

Navigation