Mountaineering is a feat of strength with obstacles and risks, with the goal of climbing a peak full of anticipation. The same applies to technology transfer. Kathrin Singer - project manager in technology and innovation management at Bayern Innovativ - explains how you reach the mountain peak.
Technology transfer: The exchange of knowledge and technological findings harbours the potential for innovation.
Kathrin, why is the further development of technology transfer so important?
Recently, your project team prepared a study around the future of technology transfer . How did the elaboration of this study proceed?
Kathrin Singer: To prepare for the future means to deal with alternative and future developments. For this reason, we decided to use a scenario study to develop possible future images of technology transfer in 2030. In order to develop future images from this, we first took a fundamental look at the transfer landscape, in particular at Bavarian transfer actors and their methods. Based on this, we conducted workshops in which we elaborated and illuminated the potential influences on future transfer. In doing so, we also took a closer look at trends and stakeholders in the transfer landscape in particular, and ultimately we were able to identify key factors that were deemed relevant for the future design of technology transfer. Thanks to these key factors, we developed scenarios that formed the basis for our future pictures. We then reflected on and further developed these images of the future with those active in the transfer landscape. For us, the possible options for future action were particularly relevant here.
What do the results look like and which future images have developed from them?
Kathrin Singer: The project team has developed four different future plans - all with metaphors of mountaineering. Because a lot of what applies to mountaineering can be applied to technology transfer . You need strength and vision, a suitable route to success, safety ropes for careless moments, a good team to back you up as well as incentive and the right hiking gear.
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1. Future image: Summiting There is only one way for technology transfer, and that is further and higher, steeply upwards. The image of technology transfer is characterized here by increased financial and human resources, extensively digitized transfer work and an increased focus on topics such as sustainability and internationalization. Society is coming to the fore here as an agent and knowledge provider.
2. Future Picture: Unpaved Paths In this picture, a transfer landscape is described that is characterized by a discrepancy between science and business agents as well as a low status of societal issues in transfer work. This raises the question, are we observing the comeback of closed innovation here?
3. Future image: networked group expedition This image is primarily characterized by close cooperation between business and science, open knowledge cooperation and digitized transfer work. Whereby applications of AI will not find their way into the transfer work.
4. Future image: proven hiking equipment The fourth and thus last future image has the name proven hiking equipment. In this future picture, the transfer work is characterized by standardized value propositions and the reduced use of digital platforms and communication channels. Whereby topics such as sustainability, social added value and internationalization take a more significant place in technology transfer.
Kathrin, when and where can interested parties view the study results in detail?
Kathrin Singer: We plan to publish the study by December 2021 at the latest, when it will be available on our homepage. Furthermore, we would also like to present initial results of the study at our TRANSFERleben event this year.
You are actively involved in TRANSFERleben for the first time this year. What are you looking forward to the most, Kathrin?
Kathrin Singer: I am particularly looking forward to the exciting challenges from the topics of mindset and methods, digitization and sustainability. Of course, I am also excited about the diverse spectrum of participants we expect and welcome. Indeed, the event is aimed at employees of universities, colleges, technology transfer offices as well as start-up centers, clusters, associations and networks as well as industry, large companies, SMEs, but also start-ups . Our goal, in line with the event motto "share-create-grow", is to bring together actors from industry and science and to rethink technology transfer with them.
The interview was conducted by Dr. Tanja Jovanovic, Head of Technology and Innovation Management at Bayern Innovativ GmbH.
Listen to the full interview as a podcast:
How to innovate - About mountains and technology transfer
