Organising the external technology exploitation process: current practices and future challenges

Abstract

The external exploitation of technologies by companies by means of licensing-out, sale of patents, and collaborations has grown tremendously over the last few years. The systematic use of this technology exploitation mode is hindered by a large knowledge gap in the efficient and effective organisation of this process. The aim of this contribution is therefore to learn more about how the external technology exploitation process is performed in technology intensive multi-business companies. The research results of ten exploratory in-depth case studies in leading European companies are presented. Firstly, from an historical analysis of the development of the technology exploitation process, three generations of organising the technology exploitation process are derived. Secondly, fundamental policy issues of organising the external technology exploitation process are described. Thirdly, based on the case studies and literature, fundamental principles of organising the external technology exploitation process are developed.