Discovering the breadth of technology transfer
Translating research ideas into innovations with transformational impact depends on three core elements: people, technologies and policies. What would happen if they changed?
Exploring these elements with what-if questions is useful to discover the breadth of technology transfer. In particular, imagining speculative scenarios within each element can help discover enablers and barriers shaping today’s technology transfer mechanisms.
- Reflect on the impact of human values and perspectives on technology transfer. What if historical figures like Karl Marx, Marie Cure or Steve Jobs could assess technology transfer?
- Envision the opportunities and risks of mass-market adoption of disruptive emerging technologies. What if brain-computer interfaces, quantum technology or gene editing achieved maturity?
- Explore the impact of speculative policy scenarios. What if academics owned their inventions, governments ceased research funding or there was no patent protection?
Discover the complex and multifaceted nature of technology transfer through people, technologies and policies.
Improving the practice of technology transfer
Several stakeholders are important in exploring the impact of such what-if questions in technology transfer practice. In particular, technology transfer organizations and academics are well-positioned to identify leverage points in the ecosystem and scale emerging approaches to optimize and improve the process.
On the one hand, cross-national technology transfer organizations provide extensive expert and advocacy networks. This way, they help identify systemic practice barriers and emerging practices. Such knowledge exchange networks are also useful for sharing success cases and building potential collaborations. Organizations like ASTP in Europe, AUTM in North America, KCA in Australasia, and ISTA in East Asia promote professional practice exchange and networking.
On the other hand, academics studying technology transfer and innovation can leverage empirical and comparative studies to offer evidence-based recommendations for the most beneficial policies and practices. They also contribute to creating new conceptual frameworks and models to enhance technology transfer. Journals such as the Journal of Technology Transfer or Journal of Innovation & Knowledge enhance the practice of technology transfer and knowledge management.