The Transfer of Technology from Research to Development

Why is it important to have joint participation by research and development while the project is still in research?

            Joint participation by research and development ensures that the development department is adequately briefed or informed about a project, by the research development (Cohen, Keller, & Streeter, 1979). Through joint participation, the research department informs the development of any technicalities or technical issues related to a project before handing it over. In addition, joint participation guarantees cooperation when the project is handed over, which is important to ensure that the research department provides the development department with any necessary support. Project transfer is more easily facilitated when joint participation exists between research and development.

Why does transfer occur when outsiders recognize the value of the technology?

            Technology transfer occurs when outsiders recognize the value of technology because the demand for the technology rises. When outsiders recognize the value of a project or technology, its demand increases, which necessitates transfer to ensure that a product is produced to meet demand. However, a transfer can also occur without the outsiders first recognizing the value of the technology under research. The internal users of technology may push for its transfer in order to put it into its intended use as soon as possible.

How are feasibility and timeliness related?

            Timeliness and feasibility are related since they both relate to the time it takes to transfer technology from research to development. Feasibility of research concepts is obtained when timeliness is observed and the transfer is not done before a demonstration. While timeliness is important, technology has to achieve feasibility before it can be transferred.

What tactics can an advocate use to sell the results of research?

            To sell the results of research, an advocate can use seminars. Seminars can be arranged to publicize and explain all the transferable research concepts. Seminars that are properly timed are effective at selling the results of research (Cohen, Keller, & Streeter, 1979).

How large must a company be for internal users to be a secondary factor?

            The size of an organization does not have a lot of influence on whether the internal users of technology become a secondary factor. As long as the internal users are present, and a demand for technology to be transferred exists internally, then the internal users are a secondary factor.

References

Cohen, H., Keller, S., & Streeter, D. (1979). The transfer of technology from research to development. Research Management, 22(3), 11-17.