Creating a bridge between university and industry in small European countries: the role of the Industrial Liaison Office

Abstract

The frequent and intermittent need for new scientific knowledge has resulted in an increasing focus on links between industry and academic institutions. This has been particularly pronounced in the flows of knowledge between the two partners, which may lead to considerable diffusion of scientific and technical knowledge, particularly into the small firm sector. This development could be of particular benefit to smaller peripheral economies, which have demonstrated low levels of indigenous industrial technological development. As a result, universities could become increasingly important for local economic development in smaller countries on the periphery of Europe. However, a greater understanding is required of the pro‐active role that the university itself can play in developing strong linkages with industry, particularly through mechanisms such as the Industrial Liaison Office (ILO). In particular, there needs to be an examination of the strategies and policies that are undertaken to increase the process of technology transfer from academia into local indigenous business within smaller countries. This paper will therefore examine the role that universities play in the regional economic development in two contrasting small countries of Europe, namely Sweden and Ireland. Drawing on interviews with key individuals in the processes of technology transfer between academia and industry (including ILOs), as well as secondary data, it will examine the general role and function of the industrial liaison office and how this has changed. It will also discuss the involvement of the university in different types of industrial links, the main opportunities and barriers to the development of links between university and industry, the benefits to the university from industrial links, and the perception of industry’s assessment of the relationship with universities. The research will provide valuable insight into the role of universities in developing innovation and entrepreneurship within the smaller and peripheral countries of Europe and will determine whether these universities are undertaking a pro‐active role in encouraging the growth of innovative indigenous industry. This may have significant policy implications, especially with regard to the development of specific regional programmes to encourage academic‐based entrepreneurship.

University–Industry Interaction Trends in the Baltic Sea Region: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…The lowest positions in 2015 are occupied by Estonia (4.36), Latvia (3.67) and Poland (3.5), where the scores are below the average for both the Baltic countries and the EU countries, that is, in these countries the level of cooperation is significantly lower. In earlier studies (Jones-Evans et al, 1999) it has been proven that sustainable competitiveness will depend on technological strengths, or strengths based on innovation, such as the ability to apply new technologies, development of new products in order to gain access to new markets, implementation of the best practices in business management, as well as increasing the skill level throughout the whole spectrum of the labor force, and this dependence on technological development for the future national competitive advantage can be particularly pronounced in the peripheral regions of Europe, such as some countries in the Baltic region.…”

Technology transfer model for Austrian higher education institutions

“… A disseminator of good practice and know-how including competency as well as capability building which is essential for successful problem solving (Polt et al, 2000;Jones-Evans et al, 1999;OECD, 2002);…”

“…Furthermore, contract research requires new skills such as negotiating contracts, knowledge of grants and subsidies, marketing and business planning, networking, etc. (Jones-Evans et al, 1999). Consequently, scientists in higher education institutions would require good support structures in the like of technology transfer offices or industry liaison offices (Cooke, 2001).…”

“…Debackere and Veugelers, 2005) and also to support technology transfer activities within the higher education institution (e.g. Jones-Evans et al, 1999;OECD, 1999c;Cooke, 2001). An example is a technology transfer office (Debackere and Veugelers, 2005) designed to provide administrative support (such as legal arrangements, financial issues) for researchers in technology transfer so that they are free to fully concentrate on R&D efforts.…”

“…Etzkowitz, 2002;European Commission, 2001f;Heydebreck, Klofsten and Maier, 2000) and technology transfer related services (e.g. Cooke, 2001;Jones-Evans et al, 1999). The overall purpose of the structures is for the management of the interfaces between academia and various external institutions, including industry, government, and other research organisations (Schaettgen and Werp, 1996).…”