An Investigation of Factors Affecting Domestic Technology Transfer at the Wright Aeronautical Laboratories

Transferring technology from federal RD laboratories to the private sector is important in balancing national objectives in military security, economic vitality, and scientific and technological advances. This thesis investigates the factors affecting technology transfer from the Air Forces Wright Aeronautical Laboratories AFWAL to the private sector and recommends ways to enhance AFWALs domestic technology transfer process. The study has three research objectives 1 determine potential facilitators and barriers to technology transfer 2 investigate the facilitators and barriers to domestic technology transfer at AFWAL and 3 recommend techniques or methods AFWAL managers and scientistsengineers can use to enhance the domestic technology transfer process. Since data for this study is obtained from only one federal RD center, findings are limited to this environment. However, the research findings suggest conceptual areas worthy of follow-on research for improving technology transfer.