The commercialisation of national laboratory technology through the formation of ''spin-off'' firms: evidence from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
by David C. Mowery, Arvids A. Ziedonis
International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM), Vol. 3, No. 1/2, 2001

Abstract: This paper examines the role of Lawrence Livermore National (LLNL), a major US Department of Energy nuclear weapons research facility, in spawning ''spin-off'' firms. We provide some of the most comprehensive estimates of the number of spin-off firms associated with LLNL and find that this research facility appears to be at least as important a source of spin-off firms as are three defence-oriented laboratories in New Mexico with a combined budget that is substantially larger than that of LLNL. Our survey of these LLNL ''spin-off'' firms suggests that fewer than one-quarter of them are directly engaged in the commercialisation of LLNL-developed technologies, a finding that is broadly consistent with the results of other studies. Finally, our interviews with spin-off founders suggest that management and other policy-related impediments to the formation of ''spin-off'' firms reduce the contribution of these firms to the commercialisation of LLNL-developed technologies.

Online publication date: Wed, 02-Jul-2003

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com