Weckowska, Dagmara M (2015) Learning in university technology transfer offices: transactions-focused and relations-focused approaches to commercialization of academic research. Technovation, 41-42. pp. 62-74. ISSN 0166-4972

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Abstract

University Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) need a wide range of abilities to facilitate commercial exploitation of research outputs; however, we know relatively little about how these important abilities are developed and refined over time. We draw on practice-based studies of learning to create a novel conceptualization of learning processes and their outcomes in TTOs and show that this conceptualization of learning provides new empirical insights into how learning in TTOs shapes their commercialization practice. We investigate learning-in-practice in case studies of six UK TTOs and find two approaches to commercialization, namely transactions-focused practice and relations-focused practice. We find that both practices co-exist and co-evolve in some TTOs while other TTOs are predominantly transactions-focused. For the latter the development of a relations-focused approach is difficult, but possible if there is strategic direction and if sources of inertia are removed by TTO directors. Given that evolving practice cannot be fully explained by informal learning processes, we suggest that so far separate streams of practice-based literature on learning and strategizing should be brought together. The implications for further investigations of TTO abilities and some recommendations for policy and practice are discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	university technology transfer, research commercialization, Intellectual Property, situated learning, community of practice, practice change
Schools and Departments:	School of Business, Management and Economics > Business and Management
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HC Economic history and conditions > HC0079 Special topics, A-Z > HC0079.T4 Technological innovations. Technology transfer H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labour > HD0028 Management. Industrial Management > HD0058.7 Organisational behaviour, change and effectiveness. Corporate culture
Depositing User:	Dagmara Weckowska
Date Deposited:	20 Feb 2015 08:06
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2017 06:41
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/51493

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