Angels or devils? The role of University Technology Transfer Offices in general and the Italian experience

The paper is an attempt to discuss the strategies, actions and results of Italian university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs). For this purpose, relevant data have been collected in a four-year annual survey (2002-2006) which the authors are coordinating within NetVal, the Italian University Network for the Valorisation of Research. The empirical evidence seems to suggest the existence of several concurring processes, with a strong impact on TTOs' performances: (i) the development of a valorisation culture among Italian TTOs (time-dependent variable); (ii) the progressive professionalization of TTO staff (commitment-dependent variable); (iii) the occurrence of imitation effects at national level. Despite the fascinating power of the (not always) profitable US licensing model, this appears to be not replicable within the Italian context, where the main mission of TTOs is generally recognized as that of effectively valorising the results of academic research, rather than increasing licensing income for universities and inventors. In this respect, the possibility for the TTOs to contribute to the creation of an Italian way in the valorisation of results from public research - in which TTOs' managers are seeking to establish themselves in the role of service providers and their main mission is the carrying out of efficient and effective TT activities from academia to industry - appears to be not only desirable but also feasible.