Integration of academic and entrepreneurial roles: The case of nanotechnology research at Chalmers University of Technology

Abstract

This article analyzes how researchers in leading roles at a Swedish research university relate to the integration of academic and entrepreneurial roles in the field of nanotechnology. In contrast to earlier studies that characterize researchers as being either ‘critical towards’ or ‘unfit for’ entrepreneurial activity, the article argues that researchers can develop a positive approach towards entrepreneurship and it discusses how this, in certain situations and in a specific research area, can lead to new innovation networks and provide important input to early development and commercialization. This is encouraging in the view of current science and innovation policy of nations, which promotes the entrepreneurial scientist and yet hesitates to give him or her adequate control over resources for innovation management processes.