The process is presented to promote awareness and understanding within the science community, any may enable scientists to take an active role in the successful application of their technology. P O Box 40063 Wallaceville Animal Research Centre AgResearch Upper Hutt, New Zealand Technology can result from the application of science to add value, simplification, diversification, and productivity to a management process or product. However, technology's value wanes unless it can be transferred to a user who can apply the technology to create a tangible benefit. Arising from this assertion, the vitality of public good science funding is critically dependent on technology transfer. This article attempts to clarify the technology transfer phrase by projecting it in a flow-system model.
Technology transfer appears to be a simple communication process.
Scientists can influence this pattern, once they obtain a basic understanding of the technology transfer process. Each of the six phases is briefly described with examples of key actions which demonstrate movement through the process and indicators of transfer which serve to document progress. Actual key actions and indicators of transfer for the six phases can take a multitude of forms, with phases at times overlapping. References are provided for further study. In New Zealand research priorities are established by the combined wisdom of the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, the Crown Research Institutes Board of Directors, and Committees on Science.