RT journal article
T1 Are Spanish TTOs Prepared to Innovation in a COVID Context?
A1 Rodríguez González, Tamara
A1 Villanueva Flores, María Mercedes
A1 Fernández Alles, María de la Luz
A1 Díaz-Fernández, Mirta
A2 Organización de Empresas
K1 TTOs
K1 ambidexterity
K1 network theory
K1 market actors
K1 academic actors
K1 cluster analysis
AB The analysis of the characteristics of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) is particularlyimportant as they constitute mediating units in the relationship between the market and universityresearch. They are responsible for the transfer and exploitation of knowledge arising in the universitycontext. Previous studies have been inconclusive as to the importance that the size, professionalisationor age of TTOs might have on the transfer process. However, the need to explore new markets,recognise new opportunities and identify potential customers points to the importance of TTOshaving a dual exploitative and exploratory orientation and an extensive relational network. Morerecent research in the literature, based on ambidexterity and network theory, points to the impactthat these variables could have on change management and innovation in uncertain and changingenvironments, such as those faced by TTOs in the current pandemic context. Therefore, the aim of thispaper is to analyse whether Spanish TTOs, due to their ambidextrous orientation at the organisationaland individual level, and their relational network with academic and market actors, are preparedto promote innovation in a COVID-19 context. Based on a cluster analysis of 29 Spanish TTOs, ourresults show that just a few of the Spanish TTOs surveyed would be prepared, from the perspectiveof ambidexterity and their relational capital, to promote innovation in a COVID-19 context. Inconclusion, Spanish TTOs and their employees should focus more on ambidexterity and buildingextensive relational capital so that, through mentoring, training, incubation or the provision ofvarious resources, they can help academics take advantage of the innovation opportunities offeredby the changing and uncertain environment.
PB MDPI
SN 2071-1050
YR 2021
FD 2021-08
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/25739
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/25739
LA eng
NO This work has been co-financed by the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme and by the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Enterprise and Universities of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Project reference: FEDER-UCA18-107689. The translation was made possible with the help of INDESS (University Institute for Sustainable Social Development, of the University of Cadiz).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 10-nov-2026