The Improvement of Technology Transfer : An Analysis of Practices between Graz University of Technology and Styrian Companies

Technology transfer between universities and companies can have positive impacts on both parties. For universities, it can result in additional financial means, feedback regarding their competencies and research performance. For companies, technology transfer can amount to an access to external knowledge for the development of new products and processes. However, the desired effects of technology transfer do not always occur. Based on the results of an empirical study on technology transfer between Graz University of Technology and companies in Styria, Franz Hofer sets up a typology which classifies university researchers and companies according to the current extent and barriers of their technology transfer. The author supplies recommendations for the different groups which enables them to initiate and further improve technology transfer. In addition, he provides new insights and data to compare technology transfer in Styria with other regions.