Fernando Romero

University-Industry Relations and Technological Convergence

University-industry relationships and the associated diversity of multi-institutional networks of researchers are phenomena that have important implications in terms of the management of technological integration. The nature of these peculiar relationships has inherent knowledge generation characteristics that may be particularly suitable to the task of integrating different approaches and different technologies in novel ways. This paper attempts to systematize and synthesize recent literature on the subject. It focuses on the relationships between forms or modes of academia and industry cooperative channels and their implications on knowledge production and exploitation. It explores their contribution in terms of its potential as a tool that can be used in the management of technological convergence. It presents relevant or illustrative examples, describing the main empirical findings and their important contributions, and it proposes a model that conceptualises the problem.

The social dimension of the integration of manufacturing systems: the role of institutions

Implementation and effective operation of manufacturing systems is a technical endeavour that requires scientific and technological skills. However, it also requires another set of skills, non-technological in nature, such as management and organisational capacities. Both set of skills are themselves dependent on the social context on which they are embedded. The usefulness or the cost-effectiveness of technical systems often depends on the correct application of an appropriate organisational arrangement. The shape of the organisational arrangement depends on the quality of inputs that it receives, directly or indirectly, from the broader social and economic environment. All dimensions are interdependent and interact in multidirectional and complex ways. Building upon recent research on institutional economics it is proposed that the nature and the dynamics of the implementation, operation, application and integration of technical manufacturing systems are dependent on social aspects, and not only on technical aspects. To elaborate on the hypothesis it is shown, through secondary analysis of the literature, and from primary and secondary analysis of case studies, that social factors condition in important ways the shapes and even the possibility of the implementation and integration of manufacturing systems. A discussion of the implications for ongoing and future processes of manufacturing integration concludes the paper.

Technology evaluation practices in universities' technology transfer offices

Technology evaluation and licensing by universities has increased in recent years, stimulated by specific policies that have encouraged quantitative as well as qualitative changes in technology transfer from universities. This paper makes a review of the concepts and practices that are behind technology evaluation and licensing by universities. The literature on this subject is fragmented and dispersed, and the main objective and contribution of this paper is to provide an integrated and comprehensive overview of the concepts and practices on the subject. A conceptual order is generated, allowing the reader to identify concepts and practices, and to easily situate them in terms of their position in the chain of events that constitute the process of technology evaluation and licensing by universities.