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Volume 1, Issue 2 |
Benchmarking may be defined as "a continuous, systematic process for evaluating the products, services and work processes of organizations that are recognized as representing best practices for the purposes of organizational improvement." (M. Spendolini, The Benchmarking Book, American Management Association, 1992). It is important for two reasons:
To
identify opportunities for process improvements.
To
set attainable future performance goals.
In the university technology transfer environment, successful benchmarking means sustaining a viable technology transfer office as well as a strong research program.
The Benchmarking
Process
In order to benchmark the technology transfer process, the elements
of the activity must be defined. What follows is a list of the most
common elements of the process in the order in which they are likely to
occur.
1. Generation of Research Results
The success of any technology transfer program depends on the
quality of the research output from the institution
served. All other things being equal, greater research
expenditures should lead to more patents and licenses.
2. Generation of Disclosures
Technology transfer starts with disclosures. An effective
system to foster and facilitate timely, quality disclosures is
critical. This begins with educating the faculty to create
awareness of the issues, opportunities and responsibilities
each inventor faces.
3. Selecting Patentable Material and Filing Applications
Screening disclosures for technologies that warrant patent protection
and justify the expenditure is a difficult step.
It requires the consideration of several factors including technical
data and market considerations. In addition, focus
must be placed on filing strong applications likely to produce
useful proprietary protection.
4. Obtaining Issued Patents
A cooperative team approach between inventors, patent counsel,
and technology transfer experts is essential to
successfully prosecute patent applications that yield strong
patents. Clear patent strategies must be outlined to insure
that patent expenditures are aligned with patent value.
5. Marketing and Licensing Patents
The marketing and negotiating process of technology transfer
is extremely challenging. The reputation of the
inventor and the institution play a significant role in successful
technology transfer. Ultimately, the goal of
negotiating is to create a win-win situation that will form a
continuing partnership with industry.
6. Realizing Financial Returns from Licensees
The financial returns of an agreement are primarily an outcome
of the negotiations. They come in various forms
including research support, legal reimbursement, and royalty
payments. They are dependent upon the technology's
stage of development and market application demand.
7. Achieving Profitability
Overall profitability of the technology transfer function is
an indicator of how efficient and effective the function
is managed. Profitability is, of course, critical to the
sustainability of the function and its capacity to provide
returns to inventors and the university.
The next issue of MACC News & Views will feature how the technology transfer program of Kansas State University rates among its peer group, other selected Big XII institutions, as well as other institutions with similar sized research programs.
