The Role of Academic Technology Transfer Organizations in Improving Industry Science Links

Industry-science links (ISLs) are those relationshipsthat are targeted at exchanging knowledge and technology between industry andthe science sector.This article analyzes the use of incentive systems andgovernance structures in science institutions, specifically universities, tofoster these links.University-based technology transfer organizations(TTOs) have been identified as a means by which to develop the relationshipbetween universities and industry. An overview of a university inFlanders and Belgium that has beenidentified as an examplarin this area is presented to highlight itsinstitutional framework and the success that it has achieved.In comparingthis university to eleven others in Europe, the analysis shows that there aresimilarities in the approaches utilized by these universities in managing ISLsand the incentives used to foster these relationships. Each of the universities considers the exploitation of its researchactivities as the university's sole mission.Further, these universitiescombine ISLs, intellectual property management, and spin-off creation in theirrespective TTO structures.The incentive policies of these universitiesensure that both individual and entire research groups are rewarded for theirwork.The use of TTOs can be instrumental in promoting thecommercialization of the academic science base. (SRD)