Mariana de Freitas Dewes

Universities' Intellectual Property: Path for Innovation or Patent Competition?

Technological innovation is represented by the conversion of knowledge into new products and processes which, when commercialized, generate wealth. In relations with companies, universities’ role is to develop scientific knowledge, fostering industry’s R&D activities. This article proposes an analysis of the technology transfer process performed by public universities in Brazil. Results demonstrate that universities are facing difficulties in requesting and licensing patents based on scientific results, due to lack of commercial contact with companies and their limitations in adapting available technologies. The increase in scientific output is not being effectively transformed into new technologies for products and services, exposing the necessity for new policies to approach university-industry relations. For universities, this may mean rethinking the role of patents in the technology transfer process, such as increasing co-authorship with companies and have companies support technological research within the university, instead of investing in legal protection, distant from market needs.

A market for ideas intermediator framework for academic spin-off companies: expanding understanding of the commercialization of technology

ABSTRACT Academic spin-off companies have attracted the attention of public policy, universities, and research technology organizations as the most effective mechanism for research commercialization and technology transfer from research institutions and universities. Spin-offs can be considered intermediators in the market for ideas as spin-off development models may contemplate mergers and acquisitions with established companies. This paper follows a mixed method approach and explores both primary and secondary data, as well as the complementarity of two analytical units (academic spin-off case studies and technology assessment discussions) in an action-based study with different research groups to capture the pre-spin-off stage rationale. The paper proposes a framework to describe the micro-foundations of the generation of academic spin-offs. Considering the concepts of technology intermediation, the framework contextualizes the market for ideas and takes a process view of innovation. The fragmented and distributed R&D chain provides insight into efficiency in technology and technological knowledge commercialization.

OPEN INNOVATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL DOI 10.5028/jatm.2010.02038910

We present in this paper a case of technological competence development in the aerospace sector in Brazil, by addressing the complete cycle of integrated circuits for satellite applications, an area of high technology which is strategic to the country. The development of technological and business competences is linked to an understanding of the existing relations between different participating institutions, both public and private. There is an effort to establish a network for the development of radiation-hard integrated circuits in Brazil, comprising universities, research centers, private companies, design houses, funding and governmental agencies. These institutions have been working to define their roles, through participation in federally funded projects to develop robust component technology for the aerospace industry in Brazil. As a means to maintain and improve this network, it is suggested that long term planning tools such as technology roadmaps be adopted, as well as measures to increase awareness of and help clarify intellectual property issues, which is considered a significant bottleneck to advance technology development in this area. In this sense, open innovation may be considered an alternative for competitively enhancing the outcomes of the sector.