This study consists of two parts. One is to identify factors affecting technological effectiveness of the spin-off process that is defined as the technology transfer process from government sponsored research institutes(GRI's) to the civilian sector. The other is to analyze the environment of the spin-off process and to suggest guidelines for improving spin-off effectiveness of national nuclear R&D activities. In addition, this study also examines spin-off effectiveness with technology transfer types and the economical aspect of spin-off effectiveness.
In order to find the factors that affect technological effectiveness of the spin-off process, this study presents the conceptual model composed of three independent groups such as technology donor, technology recipient and common factors.
To validate the conceptual model and hypotheses, data are collected from 12 cases through in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Spearman correlation analysis is employed in order to test the hypotheses on the spin-off process.
The major findings of the study are as follows:
First, key factors which influence spin-off effectiveness are attitude, incentives, the relevent administrative organization of donor, time-span for technology transfer contract, and communication efficiency between a donor and a recipient. The spin-off effectiveness varies according to types of technology transfer which are classified by whether the recipient participates in the parent R&D project and whether the donor supports the commercialization stage of the recipient in the spin-off process technologically.
Second, it can be recommended that GRI as a technology donor should not only keep the position and system to make an effort to transfer and to assist the commercialization of its developed technology but also analyze and achieve spin-off effectiveness so as to improve the donor's R&D competence from the planning stage of the spin-off process thoroughly. The regulation, procedure and administrative organization of the spin-off process should be properly provided to facilitate spin-offs of R&D results and to improve spin-off effectiveness. In particular, the spin-off potential or results of R&D project should be evaluate seriously at the selection and final evaluation stages of the project.
Finally, spin-offs of GRI's should be managed strategically to improve the utilization of R&D results and to strengthen GRI's competitive position for the technological innovation.
