Transnational Technology Transfer
A general definition of technology transfer can be constructed by taking a look at the Latin origins of the word ‘transfer’. In Latin, trans means over, or across the border, and ferre means to carry. The notion of carrying refers to something, which is done actively, on purpose. The word trans suggests that during the process of carrying, a border is crossed. Accordingly, technology transfer can be viewed as an active process, during which technology is carried across the border of two entities. These entities can be countries, companies, or even individuals.
“Technology transfer is intentional, goal-oriented interaction between two or more social entities, during which the pool of technological knowledge remains stable or increases through the transfer of one or more components of technology.” (Autio and Laamanen 1995).
Technology Transfer (TT) defines the process of transformation the results of Research and Development (R&D) activities into marketable products or services and it mainly involves collaboration between the Research Organisation and industry, licensing or the creation of a new company. In its ‘broad-based innovation strategy’, EU has highlighted the importance of improving knowledge transfer between Public Research and third parties including industry and society (‘Triple Helix’ concept). In particular, the Commission has identified the transnational dimension of TT as one of ten key areas for action.
With the development of knowledge economy and globalization, transnational technology transfer has become an important measure to promote world economy. Transnational technology transfer can have a positive impact on the technological capability of enterprises in the host country and on regional economic development. We have “discovered” some interesting initiatives on TTT.
The Turkish company UENCO, and the Spanish research centre AIDICO, participated in two brokerage events celebrated by the Enterprise Europe Network in Rimini (Italy) and in Valencia (Spain) and after several discussions, they agreed to collaborate in a transference of the AIDICO eco-labeling know-how to UENCO.
A three-person company based in Villach in Carinthia, Austria, has developed an ecological process for painting starry skies onto ceilings. Using night glowing colours and no phosphorus, the Starseed painting of the Milky Way and the Big Dipper are Top Impex’s hot new product aimed at the hotel industry, and private and old people’s homes.
The use of 3D in digital signage means advertisers have a more eye-catching way to showcase their products. Italian software firm Edisonweb used the Enterprise Europe Network to tap into this new technology through German company 3D International.
Dutch food development company opens branch in Catalonia, thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network’s Agrofood Sector Group. Tournois Dynamic Innovations (TDI)takes new technologies developed by companies clustered around nearby Wageningen University, such as low-temperature pasteurisation, known as pascalisation, and finds public funds or private investors to help take them into production and onto the market.
There are many more examples of successful TTT at European context but we’d like to mention only some of them.