Technology transfer from universities and industry has been central to economic development, but rapidly advancing research and technology demand continuous evolution of university transfer structures and processes. While established frameworks have driven economic impact, emerging disruptions including AI advancement, geopolitical shifts, and intellectual property challenges are testing the resilience of current systems. This special issue examines how technology transfer systems can effectively balance economic impact with social value creation.
The issue invites exploration across multiple levels: macro-level policy frameworks and government R&D investments, meso-level institutional configurations and TTO designs, and micro-level academic entrepreneur behaviours and professional competencies. It particularly addresses how universities can simultaneously pursue economic commercialisation while meeting expectations to address societal grand challenges, and how these dual objectives create tensions requiring new business models and support structures.