Academia-Industry Partnerships And Technology Transfer: Means To Measure The Economic Impact.

Academia-Industry Partnerships And Technology Transfer: Means To Measure The Economic Impact.

Measuring the impact of technology transfer and academia-industry partnerships can be done through various key performance indicators (KPIs) and methods. Research suggests several approaches to evaluate these collaborations:

1. The creation of university spin-offs is a significant indicator of successful technology transfer. A study found that both the number of university-industry collaborations and the presence of previous collaborations positively affect spin-off creation [1]. This metric can be measured by tracking the number of spin-offs created over time.

2. Intellectual property (IP) activities, such as patent filings and licensing agreements, are crucial indicators. However, some regions face challenges in this area. For instance, in Botswana, there is a shortage of IP expertise and incomplete IP strategies, leading to low national IP filings [2]. Monitoring the number of patents filed, licenses granted, and revenue generated from IP can provide insights into the impact of these partnerships.

3. Financial incentives play a role in the effectiveness of university-industry technology transfer (UITT). Universities that allocate a higher percentage of royalty payments to faculty members tend to be more efficient in technology transfer activities [3]. Tracking the relationship between incentive structures and technology transfer outcomes can be a useful measure.

4. The impact of partnerships can be assessed through invention success and commercialization success. A study on biotech ventures found that upstream partnerships (with universities) positively impact invention success, while the joint effect of upstream and downstream partnerships influences both invention and commercialization success [4]. These outcomes can be measured through metrics such as new product introductions or revenue from commercialized innovations.

5. Performance indicators specific to supply chain management can also be applied to measure the impact of academia-industry partnerships. A set of KPIs based on a Balanced Scorecard - Supply Chain Operations Reference framework has been proposed, covering sustainability pillars, decision-making levels, and financial bases [5]. This approach can be adapted to assess the broader impact of technology transfer on industry performance.

In conclusion, measuring the impact of technology transfer and academia-industry partnerships requires a multi-faceted approach, considering factors such as spin-off creation, IP activities, financial incentives, invention and commercialization success, and supply chain performance indicators.

References

1. Martínez-Ardila H, Castro-Rodriguez Á, Camacho-Pico J. Examining the impact of university-industry collaborations on spin-off creation: Evidence from joint patents. Heliyon. Elsevier; 2023;9:e19533.

2. Mafu M. Technology transfer as a catalyst for effective university-industry collaboration in Botswana. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. Taylor & Francis; 2023;15:606–23.

3. Link AN, Siegel DS. Generating science-based growth: an econometric analysis of the impact of organizational incentives on university–industry technology transfer. The European Journal of Finance. Taylor & Francis; 2005;11:169–81.

4. Dutta DK, Hora M. From Invention Success to Commercialization Success: Technology Ventures and the Benefits of Upstream and Downstream Supply‐Chain Alliances. Journal of Small Business Management. Taylor & Francis; 2017;55:216–35.

5. Neri A, Lepri M, Trianni A, Cagno E. A triple bottom line balanced set of key performance indicators to measure the sustainability performance of industrial supply chains. Sustainable Production and Consumption. Elsevier; 2020;26:648–91.