This study aims to create a reference framework to evaluate the technological capabilities (TCs) of public research centers in Mexico through their characterization, measurement, and statistical analysis for decision making on technological strengthening. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the context in which innovation and linkage activities occur within the research system and highlight the importance of integrating such studies into academic institutions. Using this generic framework, public research centers (PRCs), in addition to identifying weaknesses in the development of capabilities at the organizational level, could determine the level of development at which their TCs are located to address social demands and promote collaboration models between university and industry. To achieve this objective, 228 surveys were carried out per stage among researchers from the PRCs in Mexico. Each stage was composed of one questionnaire. Questionnaire 1 considered aspects of investment capabilities, assimilation, modification, support, and linkage. Questionnaire 2 was used to collect data on scientific productivity based on evaluation criteria established by the National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCyT). The aspects covered included infrastructure, scientific publications, intellectual property, postgraduate programs, and collaborative projects. The results indicate that the majority of Mexican PRCs have developed basic and intermediate TCs, with 77% involved in applied research and technological development, but from the total research projects, only 8% present higher levels of technological maturity. The originality of the study lies in the quantitative measurement of TCs within the Mexican PRCs for the benefit of innovative and high-performance work systems, addressing a gap in the existing literature, and could be extrapolated to other universities of developing countries.
