Technology Transfer: A Report on Project Development

The purpose of this document is to describe and to propose research into the process of technology transfer between universities and industry. When examined as a process, technology transfer refers to the effective exchange of technical information among scientists and engineers as individuals, groups, or representatives of institutions or companies. In high tech, R&D technology transfer is more often the exchange of ideas, research findings, or critical information than simply a product transfer. In university-industry cooperation, technology transfer is a two-way or interactive communication process. In studying this process, we seek to identify the factors, circumstances, and actions that facilitate or impede this transfer. We especially seek generalizations that increase our basic understanding and that can be tested in alternative environments and situations.