The technology transfer problem in economic development and the effects of technology transfer offices on the entrepreneurship ecosystem

With this study, it is aimed to show the importance of technology transfer in terms of economic development and the strong role of entrepreneurship activities of technology transfer offices, which is one of the technology transfer tools, in developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Within the scope of the research, first of all, the technology transfer process, methods and the effects it created in Turkey were explained and the development processes of technology transfer offices in the world and in Turkey were emphasized. The development processes of technology transfer offices and entrepreneurship in different countries and Turkey were examined. Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial activities in terms of economic development, the strategies, policies and incentives applied in order to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem and to establish the R&D culture throughout the country are discussed. The effect of entrepreneurship studies on the country's economy and economic development was tried to be measured with a survey to be organized for entrepreneurs and/or entrepreneur candidates who received entrepreneurship training and/or participated in entrepreneurship programs in technology transfer offices and incubation centers. When the answers to the survey questions developed to measure the economic development of entrepreneurs who received entrepreneurship training in technology transfer offices or were included in the entrepreneurship program were examined, it was concluded that 20.51% of the participants established their companies and 50% of those who established their companies exported. Company establishment, application to the Turkish Patent Institute, patent received, utility model etc. with survey questions. 41 entrepreneurs participated in the research. 656 different opinions were recorded as data in the questionnaire consisting of 16 questions. All data were analyzed and the conclusion and recommendations section of the study was created. Patent, trademark, utility model applications, which are among the most important parameters that will contribute to the country's economy and affect the capacity to produce products with high added value, were questioned and it was observed that 28.21% of the respondents made patent, trademark, utility model applications. 23.07% of the respondents applied for KOSGEB supports, and 33.33% of the applicants benefited from KOSGEB support. It is also among the results obtained that the profitability rate of 37.5% of those who established a company has increased. In order to emphasize the importance of the thesis, a large percentage of the respondents, 77%, of the answers to the question asked whether they would show the same developments even if they did not receive entrepreneurship training, clearly stated that they could not show the same development. When the answers to the survey questions developed to measure the economic development of the survey participants were examined, it was concluded that 20.51% of the participants established their companies and 50% of those who established their companies exported. In the section where the situation assessment of those who set up a company in the survey is made, the product capacity of 100% of those who set up a company, the employment rate of 62.5% and the domestic market share have increased. The data obtained within the scope of the research showed that technology transfer offices and entrepreneurial activities carried out through technology transfer offices have a critical importance in the development of the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and subsequently the development of the country's economy, the increase of competitiveness and social welfare.