Assessment of the preparedness of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in adopting the proposed framework on the ownership, management and commercialization of Intellectual Property in Anticipation of the Technology Transfer Act 2009 / Russell M. Pili

Year : 2010

Number of Pages : 212 leaves

Adviser : Dr. Roger D. Posadas

Executive Summary

Addressing the key issues that hinder technological progress is the first step for the country to achieve its innovation goals. The introduction of a legal framework that focuses on commercialization of intellectual property and Technology transfer is an opportunity for the country to make the most of our indigenous resources and talent. Republic Act 10055, otherwise known as "An Act Providing the Framework and Support System for the Ownership, Management, Use and Commercialization of Intellectual Property Rights Derived from R&D Funded by Government" or the Philippine Technology Transfer Act (TTA) of 2009 was conceived to bring technologies closer and accessible to end-users through an enabling legislation on technology transfer and commercialization, especially those derived from government funded-research and development initiatives. With the implementation of the Act, the major actors-government funding agencies and research institutes-are expected to effectively carry out its provisions. However, the past performance of local research institutes in the area of technology transfer and commercialization has long been questioned. Success, as a consequence, rests on the capability of the actors in implementing the Act given the support and environment for which the policy was designed. As the primary movers in this Act and the subject of this paper, an introspective examination of the concerned agencies of the Department of Science and Technology of its capacity to implement the above provisions with respect to its existing organizational design, manpower complement and existing policies on intellectual property and technology transfer. A readiness assessment can help improve the chances of successful implementation by identifying the parameters that affects organizational readiness for implementing specific provisions and addressing the factors that has significant effects on the Act's chances of implementation. This study explores the formulation of a scorecard based on organizational readiness parameters gathered from literature and distilled to specific factors that are found applicable among the agencies studied and its relevance to the Act. For the four Councils and seven RDIs included in the study, a checklist and a survey was conducted using the following parameters : 1) Systems Readiness : systems and procedures, policies and forms, resources (financial, available technologies, etc) 2) Organizational Structure/culture : structure and profile, leadership, culture/ openness to change, available plantilla and staffing 3) Manpower/staffing : expertise availability and exposure, effect on motivation, awareness level, training needs. The results of the survey were computed for reliability using Cronbach's alpha and analysis of variances. The survey questions were reorganized for data processing based on the above parameters in order to develop a scorecard for the three categories : systems, organization and manpower readiness.

Adopting the scorecard in measuring agency preparedness resulted in readiness levels that are ranked relative to the parameters used. The scores also revealed drivers and restraining factors that influenced the current readiness make-up of the organizations studied. Overall, the study provided an overview of the state of readiness in the agencies' systems, organizational set up and manpower needs. Since most of the literature on organizational readiness measures and tools were applied on healthcare innovations and facilities, this study explored the application of organizational readiness measurement principles among government agencies in light of a new policy.