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State-Level Efforts to Transfer Manufacturing Technology: A Survey of Programs and Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew W. Wyckoff

    (Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC)

  • Louis G. Tornatzky

    (Center for Social and Economic Issues, Industrial Technology Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106)

Abstract

This study analyzed state-level university-based efforts to increase manufacturing productivity through the transfer of technologies, such as robotics and microcomputers, to manufacturing establishments. A survey was conducted by phone interview of 15 state programs that were operating in 1985. Information was gathered on the goals, planning, budgets, marketing, staffing, organizational structure, technical focus, and evaluation practices of the programs. All of the programs were university-based, typically attached to the engineering schools of land grant public universities. Programs generally fell into three types: (1) active programs, which included activities that ranged from technology needs assessment to consultation assistance; (2) broker programs, which provided limited direct assistance, but put industrial clients in touch with people who could; and (3) passive programs, which focused on providing information services, such as data base searches. Major issues of development and operation of the programs included: conflicts with the academic context, difficulties in keeping technically up to date and problems in retaining quality staff. A significant strategic and program design issue was how to balance intensive and specialized services with the need to respond to the heterogeneous needs of a broad clientele. Few of the programs had adequate planning and evaluation, perhaps contributing to their difficulties.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew W. Wyckoff & Louis G. Tornatzky, 1988. "State-Level Efforts to Transfer Manufacturing Technology: A Survey of Programs and Practices," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 34(4), pages 469-481, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:34:y:1988:i:4:p:469-481
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.34.4.469
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Feller, Irwin, 1997. "Manufacturing technology centers as components of regional technology infrastructures," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 181-197, April.
    2. Kingsley, Gordon & Bozeman, Barrt & Coker, Karen, 1996. "Technology transfer and absorption: an 'R & D value-mapping' approach to evaluation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(6), pages 967-995, September.
    3. Feller, Irwin & Glasmeier, Amy & Mark, Melvin, 1996. "Issues and perspectives on evaluating manufacturing modernization programs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 309-319, March.
    4. Feller, Irwin & Nelson, Jon P., 1999. "The microeconomics of manufacturing modernization programs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 807-818, November.
    5. Bozeman, Barry, 2000. "Technology transfer and public policy: a review of research and theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(4-5), pages 627-655, April.

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