adapting for Dual Impact: How University Technology Transfer Offices Became More Ambidextrous During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Traditionally, research on University Technology Transfer Offices (UTTOs) has heavily emphasized their role in fostering economic advancement through technology commercialization. However, comparatively little attention has been given to their potential contributions to social impact. This study investigates how UTTOs evolved into more ambidextrous organizations – capable of simultaneously pursuing both economic and social goals - specifically during the disruptive period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focuses on identifying the dynamic capabilities and strategies UTTOs needed to develop or adjust to effectively address complex societal challenges.
An exploratory qualitative approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 officials from UTTOs located in universities across Europe, North America, and latin America. Thes interviews were conducted between 2020 and 2021. Findings revealed that UTTOs responded to the crisis by reconfiguring their existing dynamic capabilities and adopting more inclusive strategies. These included implementing flexible intellectual property (IP) models, promoting inclusive technology transfer practices, and utilizing new metrics that incorporated measures of social value alongside traditional financial returns.
These adaptations proved crucial in facilitating the rapid translation of impactful technologies to meet pressing societal needs during the pandemic. The study proposes a theoretical framework centered on the dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing, and transforming to explain how UTTOs can effectively align economic and social objectives. This framework highlights the importance of translating knowledge-creation processes into discoveries that address both social needs and financial opportunities.
Ultimately, the research underscores the emergence of ambidextrous UTTOs, demonstrating a shift towards organizations focused on simultaneously driving both economic and social impact. This study contributes to a growing understanding of how UTTOs can broaden their scope and become vital players in addressing global challenges.
Keywords: University technology transfer offices, Dynamic capabilities, COVID-19 pandemic, Social entrepreneurship, Academic Entrepreneurship, Cross-cultural comparisons.
Publication Details: This research was published as an article in Journal of Technology Transfer, Volume 49, Issue 6, pages 2135-2158 (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10961-024-10120-7. (SCOPUS ID: 85200111659)
