Efficiency and productivity in transfer units of scientific research results in Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this work is to evaluate and determine the levels of efficiency and productivity among the academic units involved in the technological transfer of scientific research between 2012 and 2013. The empirical research is based on the survey applied to 21 research and higher education centers in Mexico. Two complementary models were designed, a linear data envelopment analysis (DEA method) model and a stochastic frontier analysis (SFA method) model. The results obtained using parametric and non-parametric methods show a strong initial heterogeneity in higher education institutions and public research centers that participate since 2011 in these processes in Mexico. In contrast to other more developed countries, productivity is limited in factors such as number and income from licenses, number of notifications of inventions, expenditure on intellectual property, and experience of technology transfer offices. Finally, a dynamic panel data model was designed in a second sample to evaluate the continuity of the preliminary results for the period between 2014 and 2016; the results show that public expenditure on R&D and the number of academia-industry agreements continue to have a positive impact on the productivity of academic entities.