Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Latin American University Contexts

Abstract

Latin American regions face great challenges to improve their competitiveness and economic progress due to their dynamic, complex and emerging conditions, which demand new technological practices, innovation systems and new knowledge. For this reason, the process of knowledge transfer through collaborative university-business-state relations becomes a key to accessing the international market, competitiveness and sustainable local development. The objective of this study is to analyze the perspective of technology and knowledge transfer in Latin American university contexts, from the heterogeneity and diversity characteristic of developing countries, through a documentary review of the most successful transfer models worldwide. Currently, universities are making a great effort to establish collaborative research relationships from emerging, diverse and homogeneous countries, which makes this region a natural scientific field to create and disseminate new knowledge aimed at territorial, regional and sustainable development.