Universities in the knowledge economy

The proposals, from researchers at the Centre for Business Research (CBR), include a greater role for humanities scholars and more work with low technology firms.

They stem from an in-depth study of work between businesses and universities to improve competitiveness and growth, the findings of which were presented yesterday at a conference at Microsoft’s London office.

Universities are already recognised as an important element of the knowledge economy, but the current policy agenda is largely concerned with encouraging work in high-technology and research in science and engineering, to the exclusion of other areas.

The report emphasises that technology transfer is only one aspect of the process, with universities playing different roles according to their particular strengths and their business structure.

It argues that policy makers, businesses and universities should recognise the potential for knowledge exchange between firms and academics in the humanities and social sciences, an area of particular relevance for low technology and service companies. These businesses currently benefit least from university expertise.

This should be reflected, for example, in a move away from the present, narrow focus on patents and licensing, which ignores much of universities’ impact.

But the report cautions that significant barriers exist to these developments, which will also need to be addressed by these groups. Knowledge exchange can be costly, difficult to implement and takes time to show results. There is also often a lack of awareness about potential partners.

The researchers suggest a number of ways that these issues can be addressed, with work to be done by all the concerned parties. One of the best solutions would be the encouragement of ‘gatekeepers’, individuals familiar with both academic and business environments and thus uniquely placed to foster trust and understanding between these two worlds.

The report, University-Business Links in the UK: boundary spanning, gatekeepers and the process of knowledge exchange, was undertaken by Maria Abreu (CBR), Vadim Grinevich (CBR), Alan Hughes (CBR and Judge Business School) and Michael Kitson (Judge Business School). It was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and conducted in collaboration with Philip Ternouth of the Council for Industry and Higher Education.