TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFERENCE ENTERPRISE-UNIVERSITY: THE NEW MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The mission, society demands from universities has been significantly modified in recent decades. A third mission: to foster economic and social development of their geographical environment has been added to the traditional ones, educate and research. The main objective of this article is the need to understand the mechanisms of technological transfer, especially, the creation of new technology- based companies. In particular, we analyse technology transfer mechanism and the Triple Helix model. We also analyse what types of university spin-offs exist and how they contribute to economic and social development. Later, we focus on analysing the stages an critical junctures of the process of spin-off creation. Finally, we make recommendations on aspects that should be considered by academics and universities engaged in the process of creating spin-offs. Key words: Spin-off, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, commercialisation of research.