Building an innovation hub: A case study of the transformation of university roles in regional technological and economic development

The Evolution of Universities to Address Innovation Systems Performance

“…Universities took on a stronger role in scientific research "based on rational inquiry and experimentation" and the Humboldt University in Berlin became the model for such practice. Universities further expanded their roles to research and training in technical disciplines and began educating students to meet the needs of industry (Youtie andShapira, 2008:1189;Brockliss, 2000). Over the past few decades, the focus has shifted again: from training students and conducting research ("knowledge factories") to becoming more active in development and innovation ("knowledge hub") (Youtie andShapira, 2008:1189 Sutz (1997:10) describes the changing role of universities as moving from a "two-role model" of teaching and research to a "three-role model", adding the focus on a direct relation to society: "In former times, the university as such -with very few exceptions -did not carry out the functions that are characteristic with the firm or enterprise: it did not market its capacities, it did not enter into agreements specifying the article to be delivered or the delivery date, it did not compete with either university or non-university agents to sell its intellectual production… Nowadays, the university has become a direct producer of goods and services for end-users".…”

A new set of performance indicators for improving the capitalization process of Intellectual Property

“…Transition towards the accomplishment of this mission is known as "the second academic revolution" (Youtie et al, 2008). The universities that are involved in this process are oriented to the capitalization of intellectual property in the social and economic environment through activities of applicative scientific research materialized in new products, modern technologies and services of higher quality than those that exist in the present days.…”

Spatial health and life sciences business ecosystem: a case study of San Diego

“…Therefore, many regions are trying to achieve an innovation environment that includes university spin-offs, initiatives for knowledge-based economic development, and boundary-spanning and partnerships between companies, government laboratories, and academic research groups (Etkowitz and Leydesdorff, 2000). The innovation support initiatives also include legislation changes, financial support, entrepreneurial development, and the establishment of new foundations, organizational forms, and programs (Etkowitz and Leydesdorff, 2000;Youtie and Shapira, 2008). For example, European policy initiatives aim to modernize the industrial base through the acceleration of innovation.…”