Abstract
This study identified three distinct roles of the federal technology-transfer process in the Huntsville, Alabama region: sponsors, developers, and adopters. The basic structure of transfer barriers and measures during the prospecting and developing of the federal technology-transfer process is also discussed. Sponsors attributed transfer problems to adopters' lack of awareness, while developers cited long development and payback times. Adopters admitted their lack of transfer expertise and their resistance to technologies with long paybacks. None of the role-players were measuring technology transfer very well. While sponsors agreed with adopters that long-term outcome measures were important, sponsors relied on measures of input effort and intermediate results. Developers with the most transfer experience reported the lowest use of measures. Recommendations are made for each role to help improve federal technology transfer.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Chapman, R.L., L.C. Lohman, and M.J. Chapman(1986).An Exploration of the Benefits from NASA “Spinoff.” Littleton, CO: Chapman Research Group, Inc.
Johnsrud, C.S., J.R. Thornton, and T. Horak (1992).Technology Transfer: Attitudes and Practices in US Firms. Management of Technology III: The Key to Global Competitiveness. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on the Management of Technology. T.M. Khalil and B.A. Bayraktar, eds. Industrial Engineering and Management Press, Institute of Industrial Engineers; Norcross, GA. pp. 319–328.
Lee, J.W. (1990).Improvement of Technology Transfer from Government Laboratories to Industry. Fifteenth Annual Meeting Proceedings, R.W. Harrison, ed. Technology Transfer Society, Dayton, OH.
Soderstrom, E.J., and B.M. Winchell (May 1986).Patent Policy Changes Stimulating Commercial Application of Federal R&D. Research Management, Vol. 29, pp. 35–38.
Wyden, R. (1990).Technology Transfer Obstacles in Federal Laboratories: Key Agencies Respond to Subcommittee Survey. Subcommittee on Regular Business Opportunities and Energy of the Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, USGPO: Committee Print, pp. 101–103.
Souder, W.E., A.S. Nashar, and V. Padmanabhan (1990).A Guide to the Best Technology Transfer Practices. Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 15, Nos. 1 & 2 (combined issues), pp. 5–16.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Calantone, R.J., M.T. Lee, and A.C. Gross (1990).Evaluating International Technology Transfer in a Comparative Marketing Framework. Journal of Global Marketing, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 23–46.
National Academy of Engineering (1974).Technology Tansfer and Utilization: Recommendations for Redirecting the Emphasis and Correcting the Imbalance. Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Weijo, R.O. (1987).Strategies for Promoting Technology Transfer to the Private Sector. Journalof Technology Transfer, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 43–65.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Adams, M., M.S. Spann, and W.E. Souder (1992).Sponsors', Developers', and Adopters' Perceived Barriers to Transferring Federal Technologies. Paper under review at the Journal of Engineering and Technical Management.
Souder, W.E., and V. Padmanabhan (October–November 1989).Transferring New Technologies from R&D to Manufacturing. Research Technology Management, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 38–43.
Ibid., Calantone, Lee, and Gross.
Ibid., Johnsrud, Thornton, and Horak.
Morone, J., and R. Ivins (May 1982).Problems and Opportunities in Technology Transfer from the National Laboratories to Industry. Research Management, Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 35–44.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Ibid., Souder and Padmanabhan.
Swyt, D. (Fall 1988).Transferring NBS Technology to Small Manufacturers Through State and Local Centers. Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 13, pp. 7–13.
Ibid., Weijo.
Ibid., Wyden.
Hibino, S., and G. Nadler (1980). “TOTALS”: Transfer of Technology Approached Logically and Systematically. Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 11–28.
Jung, W. (1980).Basic Concepts for the Evaluation of Technology Transfer Benefits. Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 37–49.
O'Brien, T.C., and L.M. Frank (1981).Evaluation Framework for Federal Technology Transfer Initiatives. Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 73–86.
Large, D.W., and D.W. Barclay (1992).Technology Transfer to the Private Sector: A Field Study of Manufacturer Buying Behavior. Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 26–43.
Creighton, J.W., J.A. Jolly, and T.A. Buckles (1985).The Manager's Role in Technology Transfer.Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 67–75.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Block, Z., and I. MacMillan (1985).Growing Concerns: Milestones and Successful Venture Planning. Harvard Business Review, Vol. 63, No. 5, pp. 184–191.
Miller, A., B. Wilson, and M. Adams (1988).Financial Performance Patterns of New Ventures: An Alternative to Traditional Measures. Journal of Business Venturing, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 287–299.
Tsai, W.M., I.C. MacMillan, and M.B. Low (1991).Effects of Strategy and Environment of Corporate Venture Success in Industrial Markets. Journal of Business Venturing, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 9–28.
Bourgeois, L.J. (1980).Performance and Consensus. Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 1, pp. 227–248.
Dess, G. (1980).The Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Measures of Manufacturers' Competitive Environments: Implications for Firm Economic Performance. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Washington Graduate School of Business.
Hambrick, D. (1983).An Empirical Typology of Mature Industrial-Product Environments. Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 213–230.
Babbie, E. (1983).The Practice of Social Research, third ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishers.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
Ibid., Souder, Nashar, and Padmanabhan.
DeNardo, A.L. (April 22–26, 1991).Technology Transfer Mechanisms for the National Aero-Space Plan (NASP). SAE Technical Paper 911202, presented at the SAE Aerospace Atlantic Conference, Dayton, OH.
Merrifield, B.A. (1988).Industrial Survival via Management Technology. Journal of Business Venturmg, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 177–185.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Where she teaches business policy and new-venture strategies. Her research interests converge at the intersection of technology management and new-business development.
Where he teaches strategic management and entrepreneurship. His research interests focus on strategic management of technology-base organizations, technology transfer, and corporate entrepreneurship.
He is the author of five books and over 200 papers on the management of technology and was the director of the Technology Management Studies Institute at the University of Pittsburgh for many years.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Spann, M.S., Adams, M. & Souder, W.E. Improving federal technology commercialization: Some recommendations from a field study. J Technol Transfer 18, 63–74 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174805
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02174805