Research On Project Management Theory And Operation Mechanism Of University Technology Transfer

As the main force of basic research and original technological innovation, universities occupy an important position in the national innovation system. In recent years, the government has put a vast amount of research funding in universities, but only a few of the scientific research projects can be put into practice, the reason of which is the lack of scientific management and effective operating mechanism. At present, in the background of the integration of economic development and technological advancement, the continuous emergence of advanced technology and the updating of high-tech products, how to reinforce the management, and speed up the process of applying scientific research achievements to productivity, has been a common and urgent problem for many universities. From the literature available, the research of university technology transfer starts quite late in China, and is mainly based on the experience of foreign universities. Therefore, a systematic study of management theory and operation mechanism of university technology transfer is rarely seen. Aiming at the major problems of university technology transfer, this paper tries to introduce the theory and method of "project management" into university technology transfer management activities, and carry out an in-depth study in several aspects including basic theory, project management system, risk management, performance evaluation and operation mechanism.1) The basic theoretical research of university technology transfer management. University technology transfer is an activity that transfers technology from universities to enterprises, involving such important elements as funds, human resources, information and technologies. After a careful analysis of the mechanisms and properties of university technology transfer, this paper divides university technology transfer into four models, i.e., commissioned R&D model, cooperative R&D model, technology license model and spin-off company model, based on different power sources and different stages when university and enterprise get involved. In order to implement an all-round management of university technology transfer, cognition mode of management connotation of university technology transfer is constructed, which is composed of the concept layer, mechanisms layer and operation layer.2) The construction of university-technology-transfer project management system. In order to achieve the goal of establishing a streamlined, normalized and standardized management of university technology transfer, the paper, based on the theory of project management and the characteristics and mechanism of university technology transfer, maps out WBS in the four models of university technology transfer and defines the scope of each model. Moreover, it also analyzes in detail the management workflow of university technology transfer project in the form of flow chart. Quality, schedule, cost management are also elaborated concerning university technology transfer project.3) The study of university technology transfer risk management. Firstly, the risk factors of university technology transfer are identified and analyzed from the four aspects of technology, economy, management and environment. Then taking the major risk of commissioned R&D and cooperative R&D model, i.e., the R&D schedule risk (A college is commissioned by a enterprise to develop a new type of automatic sewage processor.), as an example, the author makes a risk assessment of commissioned R&D using Graphic Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) theory and algorithms. Finally, the major risk of technology license and spin-off company model, i.e., the technology project selection risk, is taken as an example to illustrate the concept of university technology transfer ready level, its evaluation indicators and its measurement from many aspects. Besides, an example is used to elaborate how the university technology transfer ready level is applied in risk control.4) The study of the performance evaluation index system and evaluation method in university technology transfer management. In order to improve the efficiency of university technology transfer management and the working quality of administrators, this article sets up the university technology transfer management performance evaluation index system from the aspects of organizational management, operation mechanism, management capabilities, and management performance. The three scale AHP method is used to confirm weights and extensive fuzzy model is built for the implementation of the evaluation. Technology transfer management performance of a sample university is evaluated to verify its feasibility.5) The design of university technology transfer operation mechanism. According to the public welfare property rights theory that non-profit organizations can carry out business activities, the idea of market-orientated university technology transfer is put forward. As for organization and design, an independent Technology Transfer Office (TTO), a non-profit organization with both functional and operational management nature, is required. What’s more, a market-oriented operation in accordance with project management model is a must. As for the money makeover, a set of financing and benefits distribution mechanisms is designed to ensure a self-accumulating and virtuous circle of fund growth.Lastly, based on university technology transfer theory and the WBS decomposition and management processes of four transfer models, this paper designs and develops an information platform for university technology transfer management, thus providing a feasible solution to the problem of how to put research result into practice and verify its practical significance.