Abstract
The importance of domestic technology transfer from the public sector (universities and public research institutes) to industry is increasing in the era of science–driven innovation. One of the purposes of a triple helix of evolving university-government–industry relations is how to make use of universities and public research institutes for industrial development. This paper first discusses the means of domestic technology transfer and points out that spinning off companies is one ultimate way to transfer technology, after discussing the relation between a triple helix and technology transfer. Then, this paper presents a unique case of a public research institute before the end of World War II in Japan. This research institute established 63 companies, such as Ricoh and Okamoto. At the same time the institute excelled in science as well. The first two Nobel Prize Laureates of Japan were researchers of this research institute. The paper discusses the management of this institute and its group companies and enabling environment surrounding the institute and its group companies at that time. At the end, the paper draws some lessons for public research institutes and their spin-off companies today.
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Notes
See Etzkowitz and Leydesdorff (1997) for the concept of Triple Helix.
The Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) is active in spinning off companies, keeps close ties with those companies and receives financial return. In a sense, the case of CAS is similar to the case of RIKEN. However, CAS is still mainly financially supported by the government. See Kondo (2003).
According to, Kondo (2007) R&D fund flow from a company to a company is ten times larger than that from a company to a university in Japan in 2005.
See Schiller (2006).
Comprehensive collaboration agreement is a common practice in Japan. The agreement includes various forms of collaboration such as joint R&D, contract R&D, student internship, lectures provided by company employees at a university, and lectures by faculty members at a company.
Kondo (2010) lists concrete means based on the three categories.
In 1908, Dr. Seiji Nakamura proposed the establishment of an Imperial Physics and Chemistry Research Institute in the newspaper. However, no concrete actions followed at this time.
See Miyata (1983).
See Miller and Morris (1998) for the first, second, third and fourth generation R&D management.
Current RIKEN also established a good evaluation system fairly early as Gonda and Kakizaki (1995) explain.
See Saito (1987, p. 353).
See Miyake (1937).
The discussion on universities in Etzowitz et al. (2000) can be applicable to the case of RIKEN, a public research institute.
RIKEN constructed two cyclotrons.
See Ohkohchi Commemorative Foundation (1954).
The sales section was reorganized as a third company but was merged with KAKEN Chemistry Company in 1982 to form KAKEN Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
The Current RIKEN is also productive in research paper publication according to Hayashi and Tomizawa (2006).
According a former senior manager of current RIKEN, a quarter of patent licensing revenue went to inventors at the time of old RIKEN.
A similar structure is found for Munich Technical University (TU Muenchen). See Kondo (2002).
The Chinese Government intentionally established pilot plant level facilities in universities and public research institutes. See Kondo (1997).
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Kondo, M. A public research institute that created and led a large industrial group in Japan. Scientometrics 90, 141–162 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-011-0505-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-011-0505-8