Technology Commercialization as University Mission: Early Historical Developments at the University of Toronto

Canadian universities are perceived as less vibrant and engaged generators of technologies with commercial value than their American counterparts, and such perceptions have driven science policy for decades. This paper shows that contrary to these prevailing views, Canada's largest university h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Technology and culture 2016-01, Vol.57 (1), p.119-143
Main Authors: SÁ, CRESO M., KRETZ, ANDREW
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
20th century
Archives & records
Business
Canadian history
College campuses
Colleges & universities
Commercialization
Correspondence
Decades
Higher education
History of medicine and histology
Inventions
Licenses
Organizational structure
R&D
Research & development
Science
Science policy
Scientists
Technological change
Technology
Toronto Ontario Canada
University of Toronto
University research
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Summary:Canadian universities are perceived as less vibrant and engaged generators of technologies with commercial value than their American counterparts, and such perceptions have driven science policy for decades. This paper shows that contrary to these prevailing views, Canada's largest university has a long history of experience in dealing with the technological gaps in national industry and in attempting to work with domestic firms. Three historical periods, particularly critical in shaping these interactions, are identified and discussed. By the time policy initiatives began emphasizing university-industry relationships, the university had already built essential organizational underpinnings for the commercialization of technologies.
ISSN:0040-165X
1097-3729
1097-3729
DOI:10.1353/tech.2016.0028