University Technology Transfer Offices: Rationalities, Objectives, Challenges and Functions (Case Study: Technology Transfer Office of Tehran University of Medical Science)

One of the main strategies for the transition to the entrepreneurial university is the establishment of technology transfer offices (TTOs) which enhance the interaction between university, industry, and society and therefore improve the economic and social conditions of society by identifying the needs of the market and society and defining demand-driven research projects in the universities. Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) is one of the leading universities of Iran which intends to complete the transition to an entrepreneurial university as its third mission. So, this research was conducted to identify the rationales, objectives, challenges and functions of the technology transfer office of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, through applying a qualitative approach and case study strategy. Analyzing the data collected from a group interview (focus group) with 10 academic experts through thematic analysis method has led to the identification of 46 basic themes and 44 organizing themes that have been gathered around four global themes, namely, rationalities, challenges, goals, and functions.