Factors affecting technology transfer offices’ performance in the Italian food context

In recent years growing attention has been devoted to the commercialization of knowledge and technologies developed by universities and public research institutions. A central role in this particular process is played by the technology transfer offices, which are on the one hand in charge of promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology to external companies, and on the other hand are also responsible for protecting and licensing the intellectual property of the research organization. This paper is focused on a technology transfer office operating in the food context, with the specific objectives of identifying the performance indicators and the main factors affecting its performance and, finally, analysing the relationships among these factors. The academic and managerial implications derived from this analysis are discussed to stimulate both future research and better technology transfer office management.