Accomplishing Technology Transfer: Case-Based Lessons of What Works and What Does Not

This paper presents lessons drawn from technology transfer case studies that Address the persistent question: “What works, what does not, and why?” Each lesson highlights critical factors determining success or failure and is substantiated by case studies that exemplify the lesson. The case examples involve either the commercialization of prototype inventions (supply-push technology transfer) or the acquisition of desired technologies from other fields of application (demand-pull technology transfer). The cases present the chronology of events as they actually occurred, including supporting information from the other participants. Applying the lessons should help avoid common mistakes while increasing the likelihood of accomplishing the desired outcomes.