Understanding Successful Transfers of Rapid-Composting Technology Using Qualitative Content Analysis for Interpretation

This study focuses on the transfer of technology of rapid composting of bio-waste from a Public-funded Mission-oriented Research Organization (PMRO) in India. The PMRO is engaged in developing nuclear power technologies, and applications of nuclear technologies to non-power areas such as agriculture, bioscience, health care, and industry. It also develops technologies for applications in many areas including electronics, computers, LASERs, and accelerators. The organisation encourages the transfer of spin-off technologies for commercialization as well as for scaling up under incubation on a non-exclusive basis. The technology under study has attracted a large clientele of over 50 transferee firms in 5 years. This paper explores motivations behind a large clientele. While academic literature substantially covers the technology transfers from universities, the PMROs, especially those in emerging economies have not received much attention from academics. This paper inter alia addresses this gap. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the actors namely scientists, tech-transfer managers, and executives of transferee firms. Qualitative content analysis was carried out to arrive at the success-enabling factors, success-inhibiting factors, unique processes, and special roles of actors. Also, the paper brings out the strength of qualitative content analysis as a concept interpretation method in case study research. The paper highlights the synergistic interactions between the industry and the laboratory and provides useful tips for scientists, Tech-transfer Managers, and executives of transferee firms for making success in tech-transfers of societal and environmental technologies.