Title: Technology transfer process in Nigeria: from R&D outputs to entrepreneurship

Authors: Bolanle O. Oyedoyin; Matthew O. Ilori; Timothy O. Oyebisi; Billy A. Oluwale; Oluseye O. Jegede

Addresses: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria ' African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' National Centre for Technology Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: The study evaluated the business development and transfer of technologies to small manufacturing companies by research institutes in Nigeria. The study covered all the industrial research institutions with headquarters in southwestern Nigeria as well as agricultural research institutes with crop utilisation departments in the same region. The research instruments for the study were structured questionnaire technique, interview schedule as well as secondary data collection. Five of the research institutes indicated the existence of technology transfer policy in their organisations. All the seven research institutes surveyed had technology transfer offices. The technology transfer strategies employed by the research institutes included licensing agreements, cooperative R&D agreement/contract research, joint ventures, self/exploitation, spinout/spin-off, training workshops, technical assistance and consultancy services. The most frequently used technology transfer strategy was training workshops. In conclusion, it was discovered that not all the stakeholders were involved in the innovation process as well as R&D transfer.

Keywords: research institutes; R&D; research and development; commercialisation; technical assistance; stakeholders; Nigeria; technology transfer; entrepreneurship; small firms; manufacturing industry; industrial research; agricultural research; innovation process.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2013.071350

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2013 Vol.12 No.4, pp.216 - 230

Received: 26 Feb 2014
Accepted: 29 Apr 2015
Published online: 21 Aug 2015 *

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