Technology transfer is one of the main elements of the process of using the country's scientific potential. Unfortunately, in recent years, it is foreign companies that are finding ever new forms of developing qualitatively new products. The methods and forms described in the article belong to the legacy of the international community, but do not have restrictions on the use in Russia.
Innovation, innovation, invention: what is the difference?
First of all, we agree that innovation and innovation are one and the same. Most sources indicate that innovation is akin to innovation and is synonymous with it. At the same time, both of them are distinguished by the presence of additional value for the product, service, technology ... Often, an innovation is defined as an implemented innovation, that is, an invention or improvement applied in practice with a certain effect.
Thus, the invention, in order for it to become an innovation, needs to be introduced, applied in some branch of the economy. This process is called transfer or commercialization.
What is the essence of technology transfer?
The essence of the concept of "technology transfer" is to transfer the results of research (invention) for some use. If the use implies economic benefits for the owner of a new product or service being put into practice, then this process is called commercialization. In our article, only the commercial implementation of innovations is considered, therefore, the concepts of transfer and commercialization in this context are synonymous.
Forms of capitalization of innovations can be agreements on the purchase of a patent, the creation of new companies or start-ups; various technology transfer centers (innovation centers) are often used.
General principles for the commercialization of scientific discoveries
Commercialization of innovations consists in giving properties to a product or technology that will enable him / her to be put into practice with a commercial effect.
For many years, science has developed in our country - in different directions, under different leadership, performing different strategic tasks - however, at all times, special attention was paid to the application of the results of the work of scientists in various sectors of the economy. Transfer (commercialization) of technology involves several stages:
- Identification of priority areas for a new product.
- Market assessment of priority areas for potential implementation.
- Calculation of the economic efficiency of implementation.
- Studying the possible negative effects of the commercialization of innovation.
Consider the most popular forms of technology transfer.
Patenting
Patent - a document that certifies the exclusive right to the object in respect of which it is issued. Moreover, the invention itself must meet three key requirements:
- Novelty (no taxes).
- Inventiveness (not obvious and required research to create).
- Utility (can be used in any sector of the national economy).
A special examination checks the facility for compliance with these requirements and, in the event of a favorable outcome, issues a certificate to the applicant.
Franchising
Franchising is one of the most popular methods for disseminating new technologies in the modern world. He is distinguished by the retention of a franchise company brand and overall business model. The main advantage of this method is that a ready-made business is acquired with effective management methods, experience in product sales and image.
However, the buyer remains dependent on the franchise owner. For example, suppliers are already identified as the owner of the technology for the user, new markets are often closed to the latter, regulatory requirements and internal documents are also not subject to change.
Joint venture
Innovation and technology transfer can also occur as part of a joint venture. Such an organization relies on an agreement between the two parties on joint business conduct. Risks and costs are divided into all participants of the enterprise, which increases the efficiency of innovation distribution.
However, the multidirectional interests of all beneficiaries can impede the adoption of strategically important and urgent (operational) decisions. The distribution of profits is also difficult in such an enterprise due to the varying degrees of financial and managerial participation in the business.
A joint venture to introduce inventions into practice often includes foreign assets, which are usually responsible for the innovativeness of the technologies used, and new management approaches. The domestic part of the founders in most cases is responsible for marketing the national market, analysis of market conditions, and local political risks. In this situation, the distribution of profits becomes a particularly difficult process.
Direct technology acquisition
The simplest and most common method of introducing innovations into practice is the purchase of a product (technology). This method differs from franchising in the absence of obligations in a specific direction of using the purchased technology, the use of a specific approach to management, brand, brand. However, the buyer does not receive any skills to work with a new product / technology, and the implementation process often occurs with many errors and delays.
Foreign investment
Employees of foreign companies often visit developing countries in search of new markets and cheap labor. In this situation, the country receives all the benefits of owning new technology and the opportunity for a new round of development of its research activities. In the destination country of innovation, new jobs appear, and taxes are paid here. Despite this, it is necessary to take into account the exemptions and benefits provided by the state to a foreign innovation corporation.
Innovation management
Technology transfer can also occur through specific individuals occupying certain positions in the top management of the company. To do this, they usually hire a foreign leader, "luring" him from a developing innovative company. A technology patent can reduce the effectiveness of this method to zero, but nevertheless it takes place quite often.
You can “buy” not only a manager, but the whole company. This leads to entry into new markets - thanks to the presence of a team capable of developing a qualitatively new product or service. Among the risks of this method, the overpriced selling price prevails (due to the possession of the secret of an innovative product by the majority of its employees).
Centers for the commercialization of inventions
Technology Transfer Center - an organization that is focused on creating income from the use of research results conducted in state scientific organizations and private companies.
Such centers are often called start-ups - new small innovative enterprises formed by using inventions and other innovations.
The main functions of such a center:
- Technical (scientific) - assessment of scientific potential, conclusion of partnership agreements, support of relations with innovation developers.
- Marketing research.
- Legal assistance to organizations introducing innovations.
- Project management.
- Administration;.
- Management of cadres.
Stages of creating a technology commercialization center
At the first stage of creating the center, the strategy of the organization being formed, its capabilities, risks, and the main goal are determined.
The first step involves identifying several key aspects:
- The strategic task of the center (for whom the organization works, what problems it intends to solve, how).
- Significant environment (potential customers, partners, customers, opponents).
- External obstacles (does the economic and political situation in the country / region contribute to the creation and functioning of the center).
- Internal potential capabilities of the organization (financial, material, human resources).
The answers to these questions form the basis of the business plan of the technology transfer center and fill its main sections:
- Business plan.
- Marketing strategy.
- Commercialization plan.
- Workforce Development Plan.
- Staff training plan.
The second stage involves the formation of the organizational structure of the enterprise. In this case, special attention should be paid to the multidirectional interests of the participants in the innovation process and the presence of external factors. At the same stage, the market is analyzed, the founders, the clientele, and the legal form of the center (its capabilities in the political and economic system of the region) are determined.
Basic conditions for the formation of technology transfer centers
The technology transfer center can be established by any organization and individuals, but most often the ideologists of such enterprises are:
1. Research organizations (research institutes, universities) - contractors.
2. Authorities (as a rule, regional and local) - assistance to the process of development of technology commercialization in the respective region.
3. Private companies - business interests.
Market valuation can be conducted in three areas:
- Regional direction.
- International level.
- Thematic concentration.
Technology transfer is, of course, the main task of any commercialization center, but there are two main areas of activity of such organizations:
- Consulting - audit, patenting, business planning, marketing, investment management, etc.
- Creation and maintenance of a high-tech business - the search for promising technologies, the sale of unique products.
Transfer of innovative technologies can be carried out using an organization or center of any legal form: a division of an existing organization, a consortium, a commercial or non-commercial legal entity, etc.
Development of technology transfer in Russia and abroad
The main conditions for ensuring commercialization are:
- Reform and simplification of the research sector of the economy in order to increase its dynamism and focus on innovative needs.
At the moment, such a reform is taking place that ensures the transfer of technologies in Russia, guaranteeing GDP growth and new solutions to problems and tasks in various sectors of the economy. At the same time, various research institutes are closed and combined, new innovation centers are created with specific functions in the overall process of innovative development of the country.
- Giving state research institutes and universities new legal statuses.
This is one of the most important aspects of the functioning of the technology transfer system, which is aimed at realizing the tasks of introducing new developments into practice. To this end, technology transfer networks are currently being created in Russia, which allow for the qualitatively reorganization of modern industry and other sectors of the economy.
- Implementation of a system for analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of research.
Currently, there are many methods for assessing the effectiveness of innovations based on economic approaches and mathematical modeling. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to take into account external factors affecting the industry in which it is planned to implement.
- Stimulating international scientific and technological cooperation.
The exchange of experience has always been welcomed in the development of knowledge-intensive industries. Today, there are non-profit partnerships, associations and unions of scientists from different countries that not only implement the international technology transfer, but also largely determine the course of development of world science.
- Increasing the absorption capacity for innovation in small and medium-sized companies.
The creation of innovations and the introduction of innovations in the private business is poorly developed due to the lack of sufficient information on the benefits of using innovations, as well as due to the lack of qualified consulting services.
In conclusion, it should be noted that international methods of technology transfer combine existing forms of business development, only taking into account the specifics of innovation.