supply chain networks

Emerging Research Institutions’ patent licensing

Introduction
Emerging research HBCU Howard University research lab

Emerging research institutions include HBCUs

Emerging research institutions’ patent licensing can benefit from budgeting for patent licensing revenues. Surely, these added revenues can help research institutions become more sustainable financially. However, many Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) struggle to succeed in technology transfer. Therefore, this study describes the development of a university technology transfer supply chain network sustainability tool. Private and public ERls can use this tool to become more self-reliant financially. Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are ERls. The HBCU case was studied. HBCUs lag behind their peer non-HBCUs. Historically they have been under-served and were originally established largely as teaching and blue-collar trade schools.

Systems Dynamics and Optimized Resource Planning

Notably, some doctoral HBCUs desire to strengthen their research activities. Systems dynamics is the process of combining the theory, method, and philosophy necessary to analyze the behavior of a system. This provides a common foundation that can be applied to understand and influence how things change over time. Applying the systems dynamics approach, a budget resource planning tool was developed using a linear programming optimization technique. This study illustrates that classic industrial uses of linear programming optimization techniques to optimize budget resource planning. Thus, the goal is to create sustainable supply chain networks for HBCUs and other emerging research institutions. This study contributes to the improved execution of technology transfer projects through better budget resource planning.

To conclude, patenting and marketing to potential industry licenses is very expensive. This is a real problem and balancing act for TTO directors (Silverman, 2007). With each invention disclosure, TTOs must decide whether to invest funds, patent and market the technology quickly. Otherwise, they miss opportunities. A study of TTO directors revealed that 20.3% of the TTOs have to be self- sufficient and fund at least 50% of their operating budgets (Abrams, 2009). Thus, budget resource planning is crucial for all research universities. Moreover, budget strapped ERIs such as HBCUs experience this problem. Emerging research patent licensing is sensitive. The level of resources committed to university tech transfer programs is the greatest determinant of success (Crowell, 2005). This study illustrates the use of classic industrial linear programming optimization techniques can to uniquely optimize budget resources.

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See also HBCUs budget resource planning in university technology transfer

Read also about black frugal innovations

HBCU patent licensing budget resource planning

Introduction
Emerging research HBCU Spelman College research lab

Emerging research institutions include HBCUs

This study describes how HBCU patent licensing in technology transfer can benefit from budgeting for patent licensing revenues. This study showcases the development of a university technology transfer supply chain network sustainability tool that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can use. The goal is to help HBCUs become more self-reliant financially. Unfortunately, HBCUs lag behind their peer non-HBCUs because historically they have been under-served. Further, they were originally established largely as teaching and blue-collar trade schools. Increased involvement in research-oriented activities such as technology transfer will likely enable HBCUs. HBCUs can grow into new or stronger research institutions.

The literature review revealed several problem areas with non-HBCUs university technology transfer include a resource planning issues. These problem areas for non-HBCUs would be challenging for HBCUs as well. Problems with university technology transfer have led to unethical behavior among faculty inventors and university technology transfer specialists at non-HBCUs (C. Hamilton, Schumann, D., 2016). Despite these problems, the non-HBCUs are generating licensing revenues.

Systems Dynamics and Optimized Resource Planning

Systems dynamics is the process of combining the theory, method, and philosophy necessary to analyze the behavior of a system. This provides a common foundation that can be applied to understand and influence how things change over time. Applying the systems dynamics approach, a budget resource planning tool was developed using a linear programming optimization technique. This study illustrates that classic industrial uses of linear programming optimization techniques to optimize budget resource planning. The goal is to create sustainable supply chain networks for HBCUs and other emerging research institutions. This study contributes to the improved execution of technology transfer projects through better budget resource planning.

Optimization and advanced optimization tools can address problems with university technology transfer. This will help level the playing field for HBCUs. To summarize, this novel budget resource planning tool will enable the HBCU to plan its labor resources (i.e. the use of its TTO licensing staff suppliers). This will help them recuperate their labor costs and patenting legal fees. Certainly, this tool is valuable for any emerging research institutions (ERIs), like HBCUs. New start-up firms have emerging research operations. Private engineering, biotech and pharmaceutical firms with newly established R&D tech commercialization units can also benefit from the use of this resource optimization tool. HBCU patent licensing is crucial to improving financial sustainability.

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See also HBCUs as Emerging Research Institutions

Also read about black frugal innovations

Technology transfer toolkit for HBCUs

HBCU technology transfer history
technology transfer toolkit

University technology transfer toolkit to help emerging research institutions such as HBCUs

A technology transfer toolkit for Historically black college and universities HBCUs was proposed in my PhD dissertation. Unfortunately, under-resourced HBCU administrators complain and experience a decline in financial support from government sources (Jones, 2013). This is a serious, pressing problem that needs closer attention. In fact, some experts have argued that HBCUs are no longer relevant and should close their doors (John M. Lee Jr., 2013). Founders established HBCUs  to address unequal access to education (Lorenzo L. Esters, 2013; Nia Imani Cantey, 2013). Per the Carnegie classifications of universities, few of the HBCUs are research oriented (The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, 2016). Thus, few HBCUs are engaged in technology licensing for revenue generation. They have not adapted to the need for change toward being more financially self-reliant (M. G. Williams, 2010).

Research method

I conducted a mixed method study of the development of an university technology transfer toolkit that HBCUs can use to become more self-reliant financially. Historically under-served HBCUs lag behind their peer non-HBCUs. Largely, they originated as teaching and blue-collar trade schools. Increased involvement in these research-oriented activities will likely enable HBCUs to grow into new or stronger research institutions. A comprehensive literature review of university technology transfer reveals non-HBCUs’ technology transfer problem areas. Addressing these issues will assist HBCUs as well.

Proposed toolkit

Notably, the problem areas for non-HBCUs would be challenging for HBCUs as well. Thus, the non-HBCUs tech transfer challenges are likely to be part of the reason that HBCUs are not taking advantage of tech commercialization. The proposed tool kit includes tools that will likely alleviate the problem areas. This would increase HBCU involvement in university technology transfer, industry partnerships, and tech-led business ventures. Faculty engagement in tech transfer requires Informal communication networks (D. Wright, 2013).

Further, dvanced planning information technology tools aid in advancing informal knowledge sharing networks which increase faculty engagement in tech transfer. They can improve decision making and perceived university tech commercialization service competencies and performance. Thus, with respect to advancing the participation of HBCUs in university tech commercialization, the research problems presented include:

  1. Given that the problems that non-HBCUs face with university technology transfer will likely equally or more challenging for HBCUs, what are the problem areas with non-HBCUs’ university technology transfer?
  2. What theoretical framework for research aids in the development of advanced planning system tools to help HBCUs with technology transfer?
  3. What advanced planning system tools can diminish the university technology transfer problems?
supply chain management illustrated with images

University technology transfer is a supply chain network

In conclusion, I proposed that university technology transfer should be approached from the novel view that it is a supply chain network!  Further, the social comparison theory, resource based view and paradigms shifting in combination form the theoretical framework for testing this proposition.

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