Students as Scientists’ Co-pilots in the Onset of Technology Transfer : A Two-Way Learning Process

To generate knowledge and technology transfer, universities are exploring new collaborative models. These new models aim to include actors that can have a positive impact on the technology transfer efforts of engaged academics. While open and collaborative models for technology transfer are seen as promising alternatives to the patent-centric linear model, there are limited insights on how these collaboration processes unfold and on their possible implications for the commercialization of new technologies.We explore the dynamics between the focal actor, i.e., the scientist, and a new actor in technology transfer, i.e., the students, in a university setting. We use an inductive, embedded multiple-case study to explore the contribution of knowledge interactions between scientists and students on the first steps of the technology transfer process.Our results suggest that the students’ contribution in the initial stages of the technology transfer process is influenced by the level of the scientist-student team consensus on the technology function as well as the flexibility and openness of the scientist to reconsider the technology meaning. We contribute to the ongoing debate on alternative technology transfer models and on the possible roles of students in academic ecosystems