Micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities to facilitate university technology transfer

Within the university-industry ecosystem, improvement and innovation of technology transfer involve implementing appropriate dynamic capabilities. To answer the question-What are the micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities in university technology transfer?-this study investigates in-depth organizational-level dynamic capabilities in transferring university-based knowledge to business and society. Two qualitative case studies were deployed at organizational entities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: the Industry Alliance Office, and the Demonstrator Lab. These two organizations stimulate science- and business-oriented university technology transfer. In this context, the micro-foundations of the dynamic capabilities sensing, seizing and reconfiguring are identified and discussed. For sensing, which is the university's ability to explore the opportunities in the ecosystem, the micro-foundations are selecting internal competency and sensing external partners. For seizing, which supports universities in managing complementarity with industry and society, micro-foundations include resource co-allocation and collaborative business model. The micro-foundations of reconfiguring, through which universities maintain evolutionary fitness in the innovation ecosystem, are strategic renewal, establishing a university technology transfer-friendly environment, and asset orchestration. This study provides researchers with a better understanding of how dynamic capabilities facilitate university technology transfer. Industrial practitioners and policymakers can consider the suggestions of the present study when pursuing collaboration with universities.

Automated summary

This study investigates the micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities in university technology transfer through qualitative case studies at two organizations. The micro-foundations of sensing include selecting internal competency and sensing external partners, while seizing involves resource co-allocation and collaborative business model. The micro-foundations of reconfiguring include strategic renewal, establishing a university technology transfer-friendly environment, and asset orchestration. This study provides better understanding of how dynamic capabilities facilitate university technology transfer, and offers suggestions for industrial practitioners and policymakers.