Call for papers: "Technology Transfer and Commercialisation in the 21st Century"

For a special issue of the International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation.

As we move further into the 21st century, the world’s greatest challenges – environment, energy, education and economy (4Es) – can be addressed by developing new technologies and transferring them into commercial products and services. Technology transfer is an important component of a nation’s economic development. In recent years, technologies such as robots, computer-integrated manufacturing, automated guided vehicle systems, the Internet of Things, enterprise resource planning, cloud computing, big data and business analytics have become not only important enablers of national economic development, but also essential for survival in this competitive world. Consequently, so has the process of transforming technological innovations into financial and economic values.

Thus, translating basic technological advances into commercial innovations is a central focus of a knowledge-based economy. There are several strategies and techniques for successful technology transfer and commercialisation. For example, technology-transfer offices are central agents in converting publicly funded academic inventions into commercially valuable product and service innovations (York and Ahn, 2012).

Technology transfer and commercialisation have changed because of rapidly changing consumer behaviour and expectations, global market competition, and the influence of social media and other communication technologies. These include platforms for open innovation and social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Hence, there is a need to explore the latest developments in technology transfer and commercialisation. Realizing the importance of technology transfer and commercialisation in the 21st century’s global market and operations, this special issue has been proposed in order to encourage and disseminate latest research results in technology transfer and commercialisation.

The aim of this special issue is to be a conduit for scholars who wish to explore the above and related issues in the field, providing a brief overview of some theoretical reasons underlying the undeniable relevance of technology transfer and commercialisation for both industries and society as a whole (Bigliardi, Galati, Marolla and Verbano, 2013) in the 21st century. The Guest Editors are especially interested in high-quality papers presenting original research results in all aspects of technology transfer in the 21st century and the translation of their research discoveries into commercial products and services.

References

York, A.S. and Ahn, M.J. (2012) ‘University technology transfer office success factors: a comparative case study’, Int. J. Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Vol. 11, Nos. 1/2, pp. 26–50.

Bigliardi, B., Galati, F., Marolla, G. and Verbano, C. (2013) ‘Technology transfer and innovation: exploring the multifaceted nature of this interaction’, Int. J. of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Vol. 12, No. 1/2/3, pp. 1-7.

Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 21st century models for technology transfer and commercialisation
• Intellectual property rights/patents and licenses in the technology transfer process
• The Internet of Things, networking and next-generation networks in technology transfer and commercialisation
• Role of entrepreneurs in commercialisation of technology transfer
• Energy and economics of technology transfer
• Direct and foreign investment in technology transfer and commercialisation
• Universities/academia/research institutes in technology transfer and commercialisation
• Cloud computing, mobile computing and big data in technology transfer and commercialisation
• Technology transfer and sustainable product development
• Emerging food processing technology and commercialisation
• Technology transfer in logistics and supply chain management
• Role of public and private R&D centres in technology transfer and commercialisation
• Technological cooperation in international strategic alliances
• Technology transfer and commercialisation in social development
• Transfer of technology myths in the 21st century

Important Dates

Submission deadline: 15 December, 2015

Review reports: 15 March, 2015

Revised paper submission: 15 May, 2016

Manuscript acceptance: 15 July, 2016

Final versions due: 15 August, 2016