Technology transfer: the practice and the profession

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of a new profession often referred to as the technology transfer (TT) manager. TT managers apply various skills to accomplish transfer activities such as legal competencies; marketing and negotiation competencies; team work competencies; innovation competencies; and knowledge management competencies. Furthermore, the transfer of technology takes place in various contexts such as universities, business entities and governmental institutions. This special issue focuses on the profession of technology transfer. In particular, it examines the emergence of the technology transfer profession and the impact on the practice of technology transfer at the individual, unit, project and organizational level.