145

“Academic Liaison Offices vs. Technology

Transfer Units: Could they form a new joint
mechanism towards the exploration of
Academic/Research results?”*
Dr. Y.L. Bakouros1 and Dr. E.T. Samara2
1Ass. Professor, MATER Lab, University of West Macedonia
2Researcher, MATER Lab, University of West Macedonia

ABSTRACT
The effective management of industry/university research linkages has always been a
challenge – for both partners. Moreover, a greater understanding is required for the role
that these partners can play in developing strong linkages between them, particularly
through mechanisms such as liaison offices and technology parks. This paper will
examine the role of such mechanisms for the case of Greece. Basing on interviews with
individuals in technology transfer process between academia and industry, it will
examine the role and function of Academic Liaison Offices and Technology Transfer
Units. Moreover, the development of effective strategies which is a matter for serious
concern will be proposed in order to bridge the gap between them. Finally, the addressed
model, such as a combined bridge linking both partners is to promote the liaison between
the two and to overcome the traditional university structures which have not been
designed for technology transfer purposes but for research and education only.

1. INTRODUCTION
It is very difficult to run any business today without using up-to-date technology. New technology is
critical to the industrial corporations’ competitiveness. Companies can develop their technical
capabilities and products either based on internal research and development (R&D) or outsourcing1.
The external sources of technologies have become more and more important2,3,4, although building own
internal R&D capacity remains necessary. There are several ways to develop technologies externally,
such as inter-firm cooperation, industry-research institution cooperation, and university-academia
cooperation. Among them, the academia-industry cooperation has been considered a top issue by many
scholars1,5,6,7. The academia-industry linkage has increased the possibilities than ever before to convert
the knowledge and innovative ideas into commercial undertakings.
Using “technology/knowledge” to the best advantage is important for the health of any business,
not just for those which deal with technology/knowledge-based products8,9. Recent studies indicate
the gradual globalisation and institutionalisation of knowledge transfer, and more specifically
technology transfer. Therefore, technology transfer is needed because with this process access to
technology is gained and moreover to knowledge and facilities that were not available at the
companies10. More important, taking into consideration that one of the greatest challenges facing
European companies is the limited capacity to convert scientific breakthroughs into commercial
success, different forms of technology transfer are needed to bridge the gap between academic
research and commercialization.
This article tends to explore the academia-industry linkage in Greece from analyzing the existence
and the role of academia liaison offices and technology transfer units respectively. In particular, we are
examining the policies and strategies that are undertaken in order for the technology transfer process to
be amended. Therefore, in this paper we will focus on the role that academia liaison offices and
technology transfer units play in the economic development in Greece. To do so, we base on extensive
and in-depth interviews with individuals in the technology transfer process between academia and
industry.

* This paper was edited by Senior Editor Abram Walton

Volume 2 · Number 4 · 2010

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