Formal and Informal Technology Transfer from Academia to Industry: Complementarity Effects and Innovation Performance

Arbeitspapier

Literature has identified formal and informal channels in university technology transfer. While formal technology transfer typically involves a legal contract on a patent or on collaborative research activities, informal transfer channels refer to personal contacts and hence to the tacit dimension of knowledge transfer. Research is, however, scarce regarding the interaction of formal and informal transfer mechanisms. In this paper, we analyze whether these activities are mutually reinforcing, i.e. complementary. Our analysis is based on a comprehensive dataset of more than 2,000 German manufacturing firms. We perform direct and indirect tests for the complementarity of formal and informal technology transfer. Our results confirm a complementary relationship: using both transfer channels contributes to higher innovation performance. The management of the firm should therefore strive to maintain close informal relationships with universities to realize the full potential of formal technology transfer.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Series: ZEW Discussion Papers ; No. 08-080

Klassifikation und Themen

• Klassifikation: Wirtschaft ; Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives ; Contracting Out; Joint Ventures; Technology Licensing
• Thema: University technology transfer ; complementarity ; innovation performance ; Forschungskooperation ; Wissenstransfer ; Technologietransfer ; Informelle Gruppe ; Innovation ; Industrielle Forschung ; Erfolgsfaktor ; Deutschland

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Ereignis: Geistige Schöpfung
• (wer): Grimpe, Christoph ; Hussinger, Katrin
• Ereignis: Veröffentlichung
• (wer): Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW)
• (wo): Mannheim
• (wann): 2008

Weitere Informationen

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/27557
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 10.03.2025, 11:45 MEZ