University-Industry Interaction Patterns: Past models are analyzed, some recent experiments described, and...

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Policy
• Higher Education Research
• Innovation Studies

Background:

• National R&D output needs to increase without proportional resource allocation increases.
• Weak coupling between universities and industry/government is a significant inefficiency in the R&D system.
• Past efforts at R&D collaboration have been minimal, suggesting they have not been seriously attempted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for stronger university-industry and university-government R&D collaboration.
• To address the need for management innovations and structural changes in universities to facilitate R&D coupling.
• To propose a model for effective R&D collaboration by focusing on willing and capable institutions.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of R&D collaboration efforts and funding.
• Qualitative assessment of university administrator responses to R&D coupling initiatives.
• Conceptual framework for selecting universities for new R&D collaboration programs.

Main Results:

• Historically, R&D coupling has received negligible funding (less than 0.1% of campus research money).
• University administrator responses to R&D collaboration programs are mixed, with some institutions resistant.
• Effectiveness of new R&D programs depends on selecting universities with appropriate structures and objectives.

Conclusions:

• Serious, large-scale attempts at university-industry/government R&D coupling have not yet been undertaken.
• Universities should diversify their engagement with society; some should focus on detachment, others on interaction.
• Targeted funding for universities committed to and capable of R&D collaboration can establish a new national R&D pattern.