Technology Transfer Offices for Better Management of The University-Industry Collaboration: Comparison of Slovenia, Italy, And Malta

Abstract

The paper addresses a manifestation of University-Industry collaboration - the Technology Transfer Offices (TTO). The University-Industry collaboration is relevant in the age of Open innovation, and TTO serves as the meeting point of two worlds. In this context, we are interested in how three specific cases of TTO operating in three distinct innovation ecosystems understand their role and how they perceive their strengths and weaknesses. The reader of the presented research will get an insight into three innovation ecosystems, each particular in its regard, and will learn that despite the differences among countries and cultures, the questions the TTO are struggling with are less diverse. A qualitative empirical study in three countries included focus group participants and expert representatives of academic-business technology transfer actors. To sum up, the respected countries need to carefully tailor innovation policies and explore the benefits of the TTO in boosting the commercialisation of products developed at universities.

Keywords

• Technology Transfer Offices
• Slovenia
• Malta
• Italy
• University-Industry collaboration
• innovations