The diversity found in the various Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), besides being a
consequence of the capacities and motives of the different stakeholders involved (public
research organisations, industry, consulting firms and public authorities) also reflects the
specificities of public incentives or policies and their differing degrees of commitment to
technology transfer. Notwithstanding the fact that the literature on technology transfer is
voluminous, few studies (up to the present date) have investigated the role of innovation
policy on TTOs efficiency and the instruments available for governments to improve
technology transfer from publicly funded research. The present paper surveys the literature on
the determinants of TTOs efficiency, highlighting in particular the role of innovation policy.
Additionally, evidence within the context of the European Union on innovation policies for
technology transfer improvement is detailed.