University technology transfer: how (in)efficient are French universities?

Abstract

This paper presents the first assessment of the efficiency of the technology transfer operated by the French university system and its main determinants. The analysis is based on a detailed and original database of 51 technology transfer offices (TTOs) categorised by the type of university to which they belong, for the period 2003–07. Overall, we find a low level of efficiency and both intra- and intercategory efficiency variation. Analysis of the determinants shows that the efficiency of French TTOs depends primarily on the nature of the category (with universities specialised in science and engineering being most efficient), and on institutional and environmental characteristics. Both the age of the TTO and the size of the university have a positive effect. In terms of environmental variables, the intensity of R&D activity (both private and public) has a positive impact; however, in terms of growth rate, private R&D activity seems to be the main driver. Lastly, we find that the presence of a university-related hospital is detrimental to efficiency. An extended discussion of the results within the existing literature is also offered.