Setting up a technology commercialization office at a non-entrepreneurial university: an insider’s look at practices and culture

Research faculty’s views of the merits of commercialisation and their role in the process can hinder or even sabotage technology transfer. Dispersing myths and addressing suspicion and deep misunderstandings held by communities of practice, such as the community of faculty researchers, is of paramount importance in order to develop a sense of comfort and build trust among faculty and the TCO. This is particularly true for non-entrepreneurial universities. Lack of shared understandings can make the job of the TCO arduous; equally, not addressing the cultural and moral aspects of technology transfer reproduces suspicion and mistrust. In support of this proposition, the article focuses on the relationship between TCOs and research staff in a non entrepreneurial research environment, the Agricultural University of Athens, to offer qualitative evidence showing the key importance of addressing the lack of trust and cultural gaps via education and training tailored to the needs of individual research teams.