Diffusing Innovations:
Implementing the Technology Transfer Act of 1986
PEMD-91-23, May 29, 1991
Contact:
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO surveyed the extent to which federal departments and laboratories implemented the provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, focusing on the: (1) receipt of implementation guidance from headquarters; (2) establishment and staffing of the Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA); (3) delegation of authority to laboratory directors to enter into cooperative research and development agreements (CRDA); (4) creation of royalty sharing programs; and (5) establishment of personnel exchange programs.
GAO found that: (1) almost all 297 laboratories, located in 10 federal departments, implemented some of the legislation; (2) none of the 10 departments had completely satisfied all the criteria; (3) 69 percent of the laboratories received departmental guidance; (4) 41 percent of the laboratories complied with requirements to staff ORTA; (5) 156 laboratory directors lacked authority to enter into CRDA; (6) 132 laboratories had royalty sharing programs; (7) 217 laboratories had personnel exchange programs; and (8) a majority of the laboratories reported that the technology transfer legislation had been more effective than not, despite barriers and constraints to implementation.
Apr 10, 2013
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
Feb 15, 2013
-
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Sep 12, 2012
-
Department of Homeland Security
Jun 20, 2012
-
Nanotechnology
Jan 24, 2012
-
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
Nov 7, 2011
-
Next Generation Air Transportation System
Aug 25, 2011
-
Technology Assessment
Jul 19, 2011
-
Space Research
Jul 14, 2011
-
DHS Science and Technology
Jun 9, 2011
-
Department of Energy
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Science and Technology
Explore our other Key Issues here