This digest examines some of the literature on technology transfer in the context of higher education, noting that the practice of capitalizing on academic research for commercial purposes has the potential to generate financial resources for the participating institutions of higher education. Several examples of technology transfer are cited, including initiatives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology such as the university's Leaders in Manufacturing program and its Industrial Liaison Program, with a membership that includes more than 300 companies. Another partnership cited involves the Washington University Medical School (Missouri) and the Monsanto Company, which seeks new discoveries relating to the health field. Critics of technology transfer claim that the practice goes against the four norms characteristic of the practice of science cited by Robert Merton: namely, universalism (shared scientific ideas), communism (collective ownership of knowledge), disinterestedness in personal gain, and organized skepticism (independent validation), and suggests that successful practice of technology transfer must take these values into account, as well as the ethical issues and financial and research gains. (Contains 7 references.) (JM)