University-Industry Linkages for Technology Transfer, Commercialization and Sustainable Industrialization in Zimbabwe : Lessons learnt from South Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Most universities in both developed and developing countries have become more entrepreneurial due to economic hardships and capital shortages. Hence the current focus of using research on commercialization is to generate revenues. A significant proportion of unemployed population in Zimbabwe are graduates from universities and other higher tertiary institutions. Zimbabwe is characterized by the highest unemployment rate (about 90%) in Southern Africa despite being the country with the highest literacy ranking in Africa. The capacity utilization by manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe has dwindled down to 39% from 57% in 2011 (Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, 2013). This indicates a big challenge for the country in terms of employment creation, poverty reduction and socio-economic development. There is increased pressure on universities to act as a bridge for transfer of knowledge to industries and generate resources.
This paper is based on the case studies of Harare Institute of Technology (Zimbabwe) and Yonsei University and POSTECH University (South Korea) in order to propose the best model for technology transfer, examine the success factors and constraints in establishing sustainable university-industry linkages as well as suggesting strategies for sustainable industrialization. Qualitative research methods is used and most information is gathered using secondary sources such as journals, websites, government policies and also semi-structured interviews for few respondents from Harare Institute of Technology and its partner companies.
The key success factors identified included the following: good communication and cooperation from the partners, collaborative investment on research and development, human resource development, political and economic stability and the supportive regulation environment whilst constraints identified are lack of advanced laboratories; inadequate financial support, conflict of interests and lack of detailed policies on intellectual property. -The paper propose the adoption of the Non-Linear Multi-Helix model as the feasible solution for effective technology transfer and commercialization.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• APPROVAL 3
• ABSTRACT 5
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 7
• ABBREVIATIONS 8
• TABLE OF CONTENTS 9
• LIST OF FIGURES 12
• LIST OF TABLES 12
• 1. INTRODUCTION 13
• 1.1 Background 13
• 1.2 Problem Statement 15
• 1.3 Research Objectives 17
• 1.4 Research Questions 18
• 1.5 Rationale for the study 18
• 1.6 Structure of the research 19
• 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 20
• 2.1.1 Definition of Technology-based start-ups 20
• 2.1.2 Definition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) 20
• 2.1.3 Technology Transfer 21
• 2.1.4 Technology Transfer Center (TTC) of University 23
• 2.1.5 Business Incubation 23
• 2.1.6 University Commercialization 24
• 2.1.7 Cultural Clash between Academia and Industries 25
• 2.1.8 Organizational Structure to Facilitate Commercialization 25
• 2.1.9 University-Industry Linkages 26
• 2.1.10 Types of University-Industry Linkages 26
• 2.1.11 University-Industry linkage issues 27
• 3. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION MODELS 29
• 3.1.1 Traditional Model of University Technology Transfer 29
• 3.1.2 Limitations of the Traditional Model 30
• 3.1.3 Triple Helix Model 32
• 3.1.4 Limitations to the Triple Helix model 34
• 4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 35
• 4.1.1 Nature of Data 35
• 4.1.2 Data collection 35
• 4.1.3 Targeted interview respondents 36
• 4.1.4 Semi-structured interview 37
• 4.1.5 Justification for country and case study selections 39
• 5. COUNTRY SITUATIONS AND CASES 40
• 5.1 ZIMBABWE SITUATION 40
• 5.1.1 Country profile and policy context 40
• 5.1.2 Technology transfer model: The Linear Model 43
• 5.1.3 SWOT Analysis 44
• 5.1.4 University-Industry linkages: Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) 47
• 5.1.5 The Zimbabwean Business Incubation Pilot Project 49
• 5.1.6 Technology Transfer and commercialization initiatives at HIT 52
• 5.2 SOUTH KOREA SITUATION 54
• 5.2.1 Country profile and policy context 54
• 5.2.2 Legal Framework and Government Policies for University-Industry Cooperation 55
• 5.2.3 Government policies 56
• 5.2.4 Linkage Offices’ Capabilities 58
• 5.2.5 Technology Transfer 58
• 5.2.6 Technology Transfer Models 60
• 5.2.6.1 The Generic Model (Triple Helix Model) 60
• 5.2.6.2 The Corporate Helix model 62
• 5.2.7 SWOT Analysis 63
• 5.2.8 University-Industry Linkages: 64
• 5.2.8.1 The case of Yonsei University and Wonju Medical Equipment Industry 64
• 5.2.8.2 The case of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) 68
• 5.2.9 Divergent and convergent routes of POSTECH and Yonsei University 71
• 6. NEW MODEL FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION 73
• 6.1 Shifting trends for technology transfer and commercialization models 73
• 6.2 Proposed Non-Linear Multi-Helix Model 74
• 6.2.1 The MULTI -LINKAGE UNIT 79
• 6.3 Prediction of the New Model for Zimbabwe 80
• 6.4 Limitations of the model 82
• 7. FINDINGS, DISCUSSION AND STRATEGIES 84
• 7.1 Findings from case studies 84
• 7.1.1 The Importance of the Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Incubation 84
• 7.1.2 Feasibility of Technology Transfer and Commercialization Models in Zimbabwe 88
• 7.1.3 Technology and Innovation challenges in Zimbabwe 91
• 7.2 Findings from semi-structured interviews 95
• 7.3 STATEGIES FROM THE STUDY 101
• 7.3.1 To Harare Institute of Technology 102
• 7.3.2 Strategies regarding industries: 103
• 7.3.3 To Government of Zimbabwe 103
• 8. CONCLUSION 106
• 8.1 Conclusion 106
• 8.2 Future study 107
• References 109
• APPENDIX 1 - SEMI-STRUCTURE INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE 115
• APPENDIX 2 – LIST OF RESPONDENTS 120