Technology transfer from universities and industry drives economic development, yet rapidly evolving research and technological advancements require continuous development of effective structures and processes. Universities must balance generating economic impact while supporting social value creation—a challenge operating across macro (government policies), meso (TTO structures), and micro (individual researcher) levels.
Current technology transfer systems face disruptions from technological change, geopolitical shifts, AI emergence, and intellectual property challenges. Universities are increasingly expected to contribute to societal grand challenges alongside traditional commercialisation, creating tensions between economic and social value creation for TTOs and academic entrepreneurs.
This special issue seeks research rethinking technology transfer paradigms to examine how systems can build resilience, become inclusive, and deliver blended value. Papers should address operational challenges, emerging TTO configurations, required capabilities for transfer actors, and how new technologies and policies shape the future of university-industry knowledge transfer.