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.
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.
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.
Carr, R.K., 1992a, ‘Doing Federal Technology Transfer, Part 1,’ Journal Technology Transfer 17(2: 3), 8–23.
Carr, R.K., 1992b, ‘Menu of Best Practices, Part 2,’ Journal Technology Transfer 17(2: 3), 23–33.
Eiteman, D.K., A.I. Stonehill, and M.H. Moffett, 1998, Multinational Business Finance, Reading MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
Hameri, A.P. and M. Nordberg, 1999, ‘Tendering and Contracting of New, Emerging Technologies,’ Technovation 19(8), 457–465.
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.
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.
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.
Jung, W., 1980, ‘Barriers to Technology Transfer and Their Elimination,’ Journal Technology Transfer 4(2), 15–25.
Keller, R.T. and R.R. Chinta, 1990, ‘International Technology Transfer: Strategies for Success,’ Academic Management Executive 4(2), 33–43.
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.
Kuttner, R., 1991, ‘How ‘National Security’ Hurts National Competitiveness,’ Harvard Business Review 69(1), 140–149.
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.
Mann, C.J., 1995, The Environment of Technology Transfer New York, NY: Elsevier Science Inc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tsang, W.K.E., 1997, ‘Choice of International Technology Transfer Mode: A Resource-Based View,’ Management International Review 37(2), 151–168.
Wei, L., 1995, ‘International Technology Transfer and Development of Technological Capabilities: A Theoretical Framework,’ Technology Society 17(1), 103.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022942532139