Assessing Technology Transfer Effectiveness at South African Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)

Abstract

The Intellectual Property Rights-Act IPR_Act (2008) was adopted in August 2010, with the objective to enhance utilisation of Intellectual Property (IP) generated using public funds Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) were established at High Education Institutions (HEIs) and Public Research Organisation (PROs) to act as conduit through which R&D knowledge is explored and exchanged for the benefit of the Republic of South Africa. Additionally, state institutions such as National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) were established to create an environment that enables technology transfer (TT). Despite these intervention, innovation chasm is still persistent in SA with approximately 6.98% GDP spent on imported know how. There is a need to assess TT effectiveness at the TTOs with the objective of enhancing the utilisation of IP generated using public funds. The TTOs based at HEIs, TIA, NIPMO and other TT stakeholders were interviewed to contextualise the core functions of the TTO, challenges experienced in executing the core functions, and the metrics used for effectiveness. The outcomes of the interviews were used as input to assess TT transfer effectiveness at the TTOs. The IPR_Act (2008) was used to provide a contextual assessment criteria for TT effectiveness at the TTOs. Additionally the contingent effectiveness model for TT was also used to assess effectiveness at the TTOs to account for the system barriers inputs that affect TT. System barriers such as organisational structure, insufficient technology development funds, regulatory framework, capacity and capability, TTO’s age, historical background and research strength of the research institutions at which the TTOs are based were found to affect TT effectiveness. These inputs are interdependent with spill over effects. TT effectiveness assessment was conducted using the IPR_Act (2008) and the contingent effectiveness model for TT. The outputs from the assessment infer that TT at most of the TTOs is “Out of the door”, which does not promote utilisation of IP. To enhance the utilisation of IP, it is proposed that R&D at the HEIs to be aligned with the regional economic development roadmaps and enhance the linkages among the various stakeholders. There is also a need for a regulatory framework that promotes collaboration and coherence among the various stakeholders within the TT ecosystem. These strategies are envisioned to enhance IP utilisation thus enabling SA to transition from resource to knowledge base economy. The short term strategy that can be adopted is for the TTOs to define their value propositions based on the system barriers that they experience to enhance TT effectiveness. Value propositions are aimed at aligning the strength of the respective TTO, identify niche markets and develop business models that will enhance TT that is aimed at IP utilisation. It also proposed that the administrative oversights of the IPR_Act (2008) be addressed to enhance TT effectiveness i.e. establishing a patent examination office that will assess the novelty of the IP generated.