Academic engagement and commercialisation: A review of the literature on university–industry relations

Markus Perkmann,Valentina Tartari,Maureen Mckelvey,Erkko Autio,Anders Broström,Pablo D’Este,Riccardo Fini,Aldo Geuna,Rosa Grimaldi,Alan Hughes,Stefan Krabel,Michael Kitson,Patrick Llerena,Franceso Lissoni,Ammon Salter,Maurizio Sobrero

doi:10.1016/j.respol.2012.09.007

Abstract

A considerable body of work highlights the relevance of collaborative research, contract research, consulting and informal relationships for university–industry knowledge transfer. We present a systematic review of research on academic scientists’ involvement in these activities to which we refer as ‘academic engagement’. Apart from extracting findings that are generalisable across studies, we ask how academic engagement differs from commercialisation, defined as intellectual property creation and academic entrepreneurship. We identify the individual, organisational and institutional antecedents and consequences of academic engagement, and then compare these findings with the antecedents and consequences of commercialisation. Apart from being more widely practiced, academic engagement is distinct from commercialisation in that it is closely aligned with traditional academic research activities, and pursued by academics to access resources supporting their research agendas. We conclude by identifying future research needs, opportunities for methodological improvement and policy interventions.

Highlights

Universities are organisations that perform a key role within contemporary societies by educating large proportions of the population and generating knowledge
Apart from extracting findings that are generalisable across studies, we ask how academic engagement differs from commercialisation, defined as intellectual property creation and academic entrepreneurship
Apart from being more widely practiced, academic engagement is distinct from commercialisation in that it is closely aligned with traditional academic research activities, and pursued by academics to access resources supporting their research agendas

Summary

Introduction

Universities are organisations that perform a key role within contemporary societies by educating large proportions of the population and generating knowledge. We focus on ‘academic engagement’ which we define as knowledge-related collaboration by academic researchers with non-academic organisations. These interactions include formal activities such as collaborative research, contract research, and consulting, as well as informal activities like providing ad hoc advice and networking with practitioners (Abreu et al, 2009; Bonaccorsi and Piccaluga, 1994; D’Este and Patel, 2007; Meyer-Krahmer and Schmoch, 1998; Perkmann and Walsh, 2008). Academic engagement is sometimes referred to as informal technology transfer (Link et al, 2007), even though most of these interactions tend to be formalised using contracts

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