Technology transfer in the petroleum industry

The energy industry, especially the petroleum, is critically important to today's society. This industry has historically been accused of being a “good old boy” network that is extremely reluctant and slow to accept technology and change. A closer analysis of the industry shows that it is highly fragmented consisting mostly of firms who operate in only a limited number of functional areas. The analysis also shows that there are many critical current and future problems which could be addressed with technology from any diverse disciplines and industries. Case analyses of existing technology flow through to successful utilization by the petroleum industry describes the technology transfer process and the role played by the different firms inside and outside the industry.     

Sea Grant — A technology transfer model for the marine field

A network of 29 Sea Grant Programs now operate in almost all of the 34 eligible coastal and Great Lake states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Island Territories. Operating in response to current needs and opportunities by applying faculty, research staff and student expertise, Sea Grant Programs have developed many new systems, processes, policy and legal studies, and technologies. These have been effectively transferred to user groups, including major industries, businesses, government agencies, citizen groups and individuals. Many examples of successful technology development and transfer are discussed. Some examples are the hydrodynamic modeling of transport and dispersion of pollutants in large definable water bodies, the demonstration of a prototype machine for skinning the Spiny Dogfish Shark and application of vibration studies to reduce wave response of offshore structures. The examples demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of the Sea Grant concept.     

A longitudinal analysis of technical communication in research and development

A unique longitudinal study of the technical communication patterns of 184 engineers in a high technology research and development laboratory centers in the activities of technology gatekeepers. This two-step flow of technical information follows the literature as well as results from prior studies. Gatekeepers span the organizational boundary in the transfer of technology from outside the laboratory, while facilitating the distribution of technical information to colleagues within the organization. Sociometric data are analyzed over a five-year period with respect to changing organizational structures, new technical assignments and alterations in group composition. Despite these dynamic changes, the data reveal consistent results in gatekeeper identification and technical information flows.