Technology Transfer

Technology transfer is the process of sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among industries, universities, governments and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users who can then further develop and exploit the technology into new products, processes, applications, materials or services.

 A technology developed by an organization for a

particular purpose was further given to other entities in order to exploit its potential in some areas. A transfer/transformation/transition process between the technology originator/possessor and the receiver

Technology Transfer Dimensions

The handing over of intellectual property (OEM drawings,

Operations Manuals, Industry Best practice ex EPRI, software etc) from one organisation to another could be inter or intra organisations The development of competence amongst people to be able to use technology they possess on a spectrum of Awareness, to Knowledge, to Skill, to Competence, to Mastery again either inter or intra-organisationally Technology Transfer can only be said to be effective when the recipient (organisation or individual) is capable of routinely using and applying it as part of business it has become part of the culture in the widest sense
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Transferring level
Internationalfrom the DCs to NICs or LDCs Regionalindigenous vs. foreign

Industrialthe threat of outsiders

Corporationlicensing program Internalthe issue of transferring price

Varied Roles
IDEA
Start-up Firms Universities Research Development Production Larger Companies Manufacturing Distribution Research Institutes

R&D Firms

MARKET

Contractual Aspects
When plant is built/modified and new methodologies

need to be shifted from OEM to user. Nature of the transfer and monitoring specified in the contract is critical. Suppliers of equipment do minimum technology transfer to protect themselves. User to fully specify and then ensure and assure that transfer takes place Documentation Assured competence of individuals who have been trained
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 User may need to provide considerable assistance to the

supplier to enable effective transfer to take place Aligning the supplier with the individuals normal learning environment. Fulfillment of the contract dependent on a 2-way process Passing of information Receiving and assimilation to the point of operational competence Important to how learning takes place, its application in the workplace and the measurement of competence.

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing professional development concerned with self-

learning, exposure, coaching and mentoring e.g.

Learning to use new machinery Operating to changed procedures

Using new tools, techniques and systems

Development and installation of improved and best practice.

The methodology of transfer becomes ever wider ranging

from institutionalised training through to networking, best practice work groups and simply reading of discipline, management and business related material.
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Technology Transfer Scope

Are we talking the whole gamut from manufacturing

and commissioning contracts and the documentation associated with them, through to the way individual learning is handled? Are we taking into account knowledge warehousing and the ways this is populated, accessed and protected as intellectual property? Do we include organisation culture (including procedures and assurance surrounding the identification, capturing, securing and dissemination of technical knowledge)?
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Objectives
Establish world wide participation reflected by the Work

Group Members

Identify those aspects that influence the achievement of

technology transfer

Establish influence of global location (Americas vs Africa

vs Asia vs Europe), legislation, culture

Establish best practices for technology transfer with regard

to maximising benefit vs effort / cost, co-operation with OEMs / NGOs

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 Establish methods to increase the flow of innovations and invention disclosures

Establish models to solidify relationships with researchers and industry partners Identify evaluation methods and models Establish methods for reviewing and reporting on the effectiveness of technology transfer processes Establish methods for determining benefits realisation