History and Past Activities
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History and Past Activities |
Jorge de Carvalho Alves *, joalves@ua.pt
Artur Rosa Pires **
Carlos Rodrigues **
* University of Aveiro, DEGEI (Department of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering)
** University of Aveiro, CEIDET (Centre for Innovation and Territorial Development Studies)
Commercialisation of Research: scenarios, mechanics and dilemmas
Our paper will begin by looking at the University relationships with the surrounding society, and argues that today the University needs Industry as much as Industry needs the University. However, cooperation arrangements between the two are difficult to implement efficiently - the paper will look at some of the symptoms and causes for that. We will then discuss some conditions for more successful relationships.
The paper assumes that the "cultural divide" between the academic and productive spheres may be considered as an almost universal issue, i.e., independent of territorial and institutional contexts. However, when trying to contribute for the design of a model for a successful exploitation of research results, there is the need to consider the territorial and institutional contexts. In fact, the characteristics of the productive system, the relevant institutional framework and the prevailing perception of the University mission largely influence both the quality and quantity of knowledge transfer between academia and industry.
We will then turn towards the "mechanics" of the commercial exploitation of research, and we will propose a model for the exploitation of research results, incorporating the territorial and institutional dimensions. The paper will discuss how exploitation opportunities can be identified, specified, protected, validated and commercially exploited. We will identify the actors involved in these processes, and suggest strategies to facilitate dialog and agreement.
Lastly, the paper will discuss a painful dilemma facing university personnel. Academics are divided between a traditional romantic view of research, that sees its outcomes as belonging to a common, freely accessible pool of knowledge, and a modern utilitarian perspective, that looks at results as valuable goods, and hence, proprietary. We will argue that University strategies for commercial exploitation of research must recognize this dilemma and provide means to alleviate the associated tensions and anxieties.
Sociology of Science and Technology NETwork - last update: April 2006