Date Available
3-21-2013
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Year of Publication
2013
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Educational Policy Studies and Eval
First Advisor
Dr. Alan J. DeYoung
Second Advisor
Dr. John R. Thelin
Abstract
American research universities, especially over the past 30 years, have increasingly become involved in technology transfer activities. For public land grant institutions, involvement is largely inspired by a desire to maximize revenue opportunities and demonstrate economic relevance. This intrinsic case study addresses the efforts of a public, land grant and flagship institution, the University of Kentucky, to augment its technology transfer activities, with a specific focus on its attempts to spin off university technology-based firms. The data were gathered primarily through oral history interviews with technology transfer personnel, entrepreneurs, and spinoff personnel. Its purpose is to understand better the structure of the university’s technology transfer operations, the impact of changes in institutional administration and priorities on these efforts, and variables that challenge and accommodate accomplishment of organizational goals. The findings of this study indicate that the structure of technology transfer operations at the university is complex, and somewhat confounding. Administrative changes impact various groups differently than others, and a major challenge to the accomplishment of goals is funding. Moreover, distinct but related groups seem to lack consistent, overarching goals.
Recommended Citation
Baas, Tara K., "Great Expectations: Twenty-First Century Public Institutions and the Promise of Technology Based Economic Development: A Case Study" (2013). Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/epe_etds/6
