Three-Layer Structure among Technology Transfer, Industry-Academia Collaboration, and Basic Research in Universities

In promoting the creation of innovation, it is imperative that new technological seeds developed by universities are transferred to private companies; in recent years, such awareness has been on the rise. To promote technology transfer, it is important to comprehend its relationship with its influencing factors. We assumed a three-layer structure, meaning that basic research promotes industry-academia collaboration, which in turn promotes technology transfer. This study aims to reveal the quantitative relationship between technology transfer and university activities and indexes, and examine the three-layer structure. Taking Japanese universities as a case study, data on technology transfer including patents and venture companies, industry-academia collaboration including joint research and contract research, and basic research including research papers and grants-in-aid for scientific research were collected and analyzed. Consequently, multiple regression equations, which explain patent applications, patents, patent licenses, income of patent licenses, and venture companies using five, five, two, three, and two explanatory variables, respectively, were derived. Moreover, the three-layer structure was examined considering the multiple regression models and the correlation between the explanatory variables and other influencing factors. We hope the results will help in planning policy measures and also help university managements in promoting technology transfer.