While knowledge transfer in economic and technical sciences is a matter of frequent research, knowledge transfer in social sciences and humanities (SSH) has not been examined sufficiently in the last few decades. In order to fill the research gap, this paper presents results from a study conducted at an Austrian university. Eighteen scientists were interviewed with regards to a definition, common examples, motivators and obstacles as well as visions of SSH knowledge transfer. Interview transcripts have been analyzed qualitatively. Results were compared with quantitative data derived from the research documentation system of the university.A comprehensive definition of SSH knowledge transfer is presented. Motivators turned out to be closely linked to perceived personal and civic duties. Obstacles were described as being attributable to a focus on 'science to science' achievements within the scientific community.
Knowledge transfer from universities to practical fields, policy, economy, and civil society is an issue of high relevance. However, the term itself is hardly used in a consistent way and only little research exists that elucidates the understanding of the phrase. To fill this research gap, we conducted a qualitative online study among Austrian university researchers. 283 participants from 18 universities were asked for a definition of university knowledge transfer and associated keywords.
Hayden et al. University Knowledge Transfer researchers were noted in several evaluated categories, but were mainly small in effect size. Both subsamples answered consistently along the same trend, indicating that the differences are smaller than we hypothesized. Our findings are critically discussed, and implications are extrapolated.
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