Economic development of countries and regions increasingly depends on results of scientific studies and research.Technology transfer centers therefore play an important role as supporters of the transfer of knowledge between researchers and entrepreneurs. What is the situation in our country? Are the centers of innovation and entrepreneurship really helpful in creating competitive advantage?
To answer these questions, within one of its projects OPI conducted a multi-faceted analysis of activities of technology transfer centers (TTCs) in Poland in comparison with their international counterparts, with particular emphasis on commercialization of research results that takes place through their participation.
In the first stage, researchers looked at the functioning of such centers at public universities, and compared the collected data with the similar results on European scale. They have taken into account both the system-level determinants, and the detailed solutions adopted in different TTCs. The survey covered the whole country – respondents were from the centers run by universities, where the TTCs have advisory and information functions, helping entrepreneurs to quickly familiarize themselves with the research offer of the given institution, and focus on promoting technology transfer, performing all the attendant duties and assisting the entire process. Also telephone interviews (CATI) with entrepreneurs representing Section C of NACE (manufacturing) were performed, and a panel of experts was organised.
The outcome was the creation of an initial agent-based model that allows to draw qualitative conclusions showing the main mechanisms, identifying key actors, separating the main factors that determine the effectiveness of technology transfer and verifying the modelling rules. The tool developed in the framework of the project can be used to measure the impact of innovation and effectiveness of technology transfer. Another application of the model can be its function as guidance on indicators of the innovation process. The model enables construction of a realistic model that allows for quantitative reasoning in the future.
Within the project, a paper presenting selected descriptions of the operation of technology transfer centers in Poland and abroad was developed – specifically, the centers in Oxford and Cambridge, Zurich, Oulu and Helsinki, Valencia, MIT Technology Licensing Office, Office of Technology Licensing at Stanford University, University of Maryland, as well as Institute of Science and Technology in Mexico and National Institute of Industrial Technology in Buenos Aires. The example of Israel was covered extensively, and some of the Polish technology transfer centers, which, despite the adopted different legal and organizational solutions are successful, were also presented.
Two publications were prepared:
- Commercialisation of research results andtechnolgy transfer centres (a collection of articles on the subject of commercialisation of research results authored by Justyna Adamska, Cezary Główka, Adrian Niewęgłowski, Monika Nowikowska, Łukasz Ozimek, Anna Piszcz and Maciej Tokarski).
- Role of academic centres of innovation in technology transfer edited by Izabela Kijeńska-Dąbrowska and Krzysztof Lipiec.
Two conferences were also organised:Commercialisation of research results and technology transfer centres andHow do the Polish companies make use of scientific knowledge? Challenges for technology transfer centres.
Project title: Analysis of functioning of technology transfer centres
Implemented by: Laboratory of Statistical Analyses and Evaluations
EU participation: subproject 2.4 of the systemic project “Support for the management of research works and their results” under Priority axis I, Action 1.1, Measure 1.1.3 of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy 2007-2013.