Running with the pack? The role of Universities of applied science in a German research network

Abstract

A major role within regional innovation systems is played by the higher education institutions. These institutions create, gather, store and transfer knowledge, which is needed for innovative activities. Regarding the transfer of knowledge the mechanism of cooperative research is one of particular importance for exchanging knowledge between companies and higher education institutions. The cooperative activity of different companies and institutions in Germany leads to a growing research network with intra- and interregional patterns. The purpose of this paper is to unveil the evolution of the German research network over more than a decade and depict changes in the position of Universities and Universities of Applied Science. The increase in public funding of research conducted by Universities of Applied Science since the year 2005 offers risks and chances. Chances are that Universities of Applied Science fill the gap between research and application, connecting the resource intensive research at public research institutes and Universities with the needs of companies. Risks are, that Universities of Applied Science position themselves as substitutes within the German research network, running with the pack and not using their distinctive features strengthening their strengths. Offering a dynamic view at the network, data from the ‘Forderkatalog’ of the German Ministry of Education and Research from 1999 to 2013 is used. The results show that even though Universities of Applied Science seem to be less involved in the German research network, their activity increases since the increase of public funding for research activities conducted by Universities of Applied Science. But it looks like Universities of Applied Science and Universities are more often in similar than in complementary positions within the network.