Diversity in technology transfer policies and practices? : empirical evidence from the Netherlands

This paper contributes to the discussion of the effectiveness of current technology transfer policies. More specifically, this paper examines the degree of fit between current technology transfer policies on the one hand and standing practices in technology transfer on the other hand, in the Netherlands. For this purpose, we both discuss the development of Dutch technology transfer policy and provide an in-depth empirical analysis of standing practices of university-industry technology transfer. Our findings indicate that national policy has a better fit with current practices of technology transfer than university policies. Furthermore, our findings are supportive of the idea that policies should be generic rather than (sector) specific.