Entrepreneurship & Organization Management

Impact Over Revenue: Toward a Social Entrepreneurship Model for University Technology Transfer

Abstract

Matthew M. Mars and Randy Burd

The institutionalized focus of university technology transfer is on revenue generation. Following a brief exploration of the evolution of the field, the current paper unpacks the assumptions underpinning the institutionalized understanding of technology transfer as a revenue-generating mechanism. Next, an alternative technology transfer model that is based on social entrepreneurship principles is proposed. The alternative model is predicated on the recognition of technology transfer as a mechanism for bettering society through value creation rather than value capture.