Modelling Functional Innovation and Technology Transfer Units for Research Commercialisation: A Kenyan Higher Education Perspective

Abstract

Kenyan universities struggle to turn research into technologies, enterprises and services because of fragmented structures, limited capacity and weak industry linkages. Existing studies diagnose these barriers but do not specify what makes an Innovation and Technology Transfer Unit (ITTU) functional. Using an integrative review of scholarly literature and Kenyan policy documents, this paper develops a conceptual, institution-level model with eight interdependent dimensions: governance and strategy; innovation identification and assessment; intellectual property management; technology development and validation; incubation and enterprise development; industry and market linkage; commercialisation and technology transfer; and monitoring, evaluation and learning. The ITTU leads core functions and coordinates existing units, supported by seven enabling conditions. The paper contributes a portfolio-based approach, institutional configurations, cohort-based performance measures, public-value safeguards and seven testable propositions. The model is untested, and a validation agenda is proposed.