Universities, technology transfer and spin-off activities: academic entrepreneurship in different European regions
FINAL REPORT, 1042. UNIVERSITY OF GLAMORGAN, (1998)Abstract
As the recent Green Paper on Innovation suggests, the European Union must be more effective at placing its technology-base at the service of industrial competitiveness and the needs of the market. In particular, it is recognised that one of the greatest challenges facing European firms is the comparatively limited capacity to convert scientific breakthroughs and technological achievements into industrial and commercial successes. As a result, there is growing awareness of the proactive approach being undertaken by academic institutions, with many adopting a direct entrepreneurial role in collaborating with industry. Such activities can include the licensing of patents to industry and the creation of spin-offs that are based on technology developed within university laboratories. This report presents an examination of the process of technology transfer from universities to industry within seven different regions of Europe namely Ireland, Sweden, Portugal, Northern Ireland, Wales, Spain and Finland. Through a multi-methodological approach, the research was undertaken in five distinct phases: • the previous evidence and factors affecting the development of academic entrepreneurship in seven regions of the European Community • a study of university policy and practice towards academic entrepreneurship, focusing in particular, on the industrial liaison function • the identification and analysis of specific cases of ‘good institutional practice’ of university initiatives, within each region, to develop closer links with industry • a study of academic entrepreneurs in universities in different regions of Europe - this gives a the profile of academics in science and engineering departments; the degree to which they are involved in academic entrepreneurship; the type of entrepreneurial activities undertaken; and the influence of personal, occupational and university factors • specific cases of academics' entrepreneurial activities (where academic entrepreneurship includes contract research, technical consultancy, patenting and licensing activities, as well as the creation of spin-off firms, by university staff). This study has established a new and detailed picture of the state of academic entrepreneurship within the different regions of Europe. It has shown that academic entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that exists in a range of different institutional and regional settings, often having to overcome the same barriers for success in all countries. Most importantly, it has ascertained that there is a strong potential for developing increased university-industry linkages across Europe if the right institutional policies can be put into place. However, in terms of developing policy initiatives to establish closer academic-industry links, the role of the European Commission should be essentially as a facilitator. The study has demonstrated that for any initiative to succeed, it must take into account the local circumstances - for both university and the industrial partners. Policy instruments will only work if they are applied at the level of the institution, and if they reflect the strengths of the individual institutions and the needs of local (as well as international) industrial firms.