Title: The conceptualisation of technology in scholarly research and public policy regarding university technology transfer

Authors: Malcolm S. Townes

Addresses: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Delve Institute, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Abstract: This paper presents an alternative conceptualisation and definition of technology in the context of university technology transfer. The ambiguity regarding the conceptualisation of technology is apparent in the technology transfer literature. An expanded conceptualisation of technology potentially opens new approaches to researching technology transfer. It may also cause policymakers to think more comprehensively about what it means to successfully transfer technologies derived from federally funded research to the private sector for use that benefits the public interest. This paper integrates constructs and ideas in the related literature to provide a new perspective of technology that can support future scholarly research and public policy formulation about technology transfer in general, and university technology transfer specifically. Although the paper focuses on university technology transfer to the private sector in the USA, the insights it presents are relevant to technology transfer more broadly and applicable in other geopolitical contexts.

Keywords: public policy; science policy; technology; technology commercialisation; technology transfer; university technology transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2025.146548

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2025 Vol.21 No.3, pp.239 - 277

Accepted: 19 Sep 2024
Published online: 02 Jun 2025 *

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