Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Firm utilization of university scientific research

  • Published:
Research in Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates the assumption that scientific research taking place in universities “trickles down” to industry. Publication characteristics are used to examine the collaboration and utilization behavior of scientists employed in the computer equipment and aircraft industries. The data indicate that these industries are using research generated by university scientists and that collaboration between sectors is occurring. Four sets of factors (article, firm, industry, and university characteristics) are used to explain research utilization and publication practices. Logistical regression results confirm that university/firm proximity is associated with increased collaboration and that collaborative relationships promote firm utilization of university research. These results indicate that university policymakers should consider ways to encourage collaborative relationships between sectors to promote information transfer. Further, the result linking proximity and collaboration suggests support for academic scientific activities should be encouraged at the local level.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Laban, B. (ed.) (1989).University Research and the Future of Canada. Ottawa: University of Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, R. C. (1983). Collective invention.Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 4: 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, T. J. (1977).Managing the Flow of Technology. Boston: MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association of University Professors (1986). Continuing the upward climb.Academe 72(2): 3–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J., Collins, P. M. D., Irvine, J., Isard, P. A., Martin, B. R., Narin, F., and Stevens, K. (1988). On-line approaches to measuring national scientific output: A cautionary tale.Science and Public Policy 15(3): 153–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, W. O. (1983). Organizing knowledge for action. In T. W. Langfitt, S. Hackney, A. P. Fishman, and A. V. Glowasky (eds.),Partners in the Research Enterprise (pp. 109–118). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barth, R. T. (1980). Some behavioral aspects of the coupling and performance of R&D groups: A field study. In D. Sahal (ed.),Research, Development, and Technological Innovation (pp. 91–103). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumenthal, D., Gluck, M., and Louis, K. S. (1985). Prospecting in academe: Benefits to industry of supporting biotechnology research in universities. Unpublished manuscript, Center for Health Policy and Management, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

  • Boyle, K. A. (1986). Technology transfer between universities and the U.K. offshore industry.IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 33(1): 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brancheau, J. C. (1987). The diffusion of information technology: Testing and extending innovation diffusion theory in the context of end-user computing. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, E. (1985). The science-technology interaction. In B. R. Williams and J. A. Bryan-Brown (eds.),Knowns and Unknowns in Technical Change (pp. 23–30). London: Technical Change Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calzonetti, F. J., and Walker, R. T. (1991). Factors affecting industrial location decisions: A survey approach. In H. W. Herzog and A. M. Schlottmann (eds.),Industry Location and Public Policy (pp. 221–240). Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carnegie Foundation (1987).A Classification of Institutions. Princeton, NJ: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, M. P., and Narin, F. (1983). Validation study: Patent citations as indicators of science and foreign dependence.World Patent Information 5(3): 180–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chubin, D. E. (1985). Beyond the invisible colleges: Inspirations and aspirations of post-1972 social studies of science.Scientometrics 7: 221–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, B. R. (1983).The Higher Education System: Academic Organization in Cross-National Perspective. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane, D. (1969). Social structure in a group of scientists: A test of the “Invisible College” hypothesis.American Sociological Review 34: 335–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane, D. (1972).Invisible colleges: Diffusion of knowledge in scientific communities. Chicago: University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, B. (1984).The Citation Process. London: Taylor Graham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Current Contents Address Directory (Vols. 1–4) (1986–1987). Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information.

  • Data Sources (1983–1984). New York: Ziff-Davis Publishing.

  • David, P. A., Mowery, D., and Steinmueller, W. E. (1988).The Economic Analysis of Payoffs from Basic Research: An Examination of the Case of Particle Physics Research (CEPR Publication No. 122). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Center for Economic Policy Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Directory of Corporate Affiliations (1986). Wilmette, IL: National Register Publishing.

  • Dresch, S. P. (1988). On the economics of fundamental research. In J. W. Sommer (ed.),Higher Education and the State. San Francisco: Independent Institute. Manuscript submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairweather, J. S. (1988).Entrepreneurship and Higher Education: Lessons for Colleges, Universities, and Industry. Washington, DC: Association for the Study of Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, M. F. (1983). Publication productivity among scientists: A critical review.Social Studies of Science 13: 285–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fusfeld, H. I. (1983). Overview of university-industry research interactions. In T. W. Langfitt, S. Hackney, A. P. Fishman, and A. V. Glowasky (eds.),Partners in the Research Enterprise (pp. 10–19). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garvey, W. D. (1979).Communication: The Essence of Science. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, R. L. (1992). The ambiguous link: Private industry and university research. In W. E. Becker and D. R. Lewis (eds.),The Economics of American Higher Education (pp. 265–297). Boston: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldhor, R. S., and Lund, R. T. (1983). University-to-industry advanced technology transfer.Research Policy 12: 121–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haeffner, E. A. (1973). The innovation process.Technology Review 75(5): 18–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagstrom, W. O. (1965).The Scientific Community. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herner, S. (1954). Information gathering habits of workers in pure and applied science.Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 46(1): 228–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoenack, S. A. (1989). Group behavior and economic growth.Social Science Quarterly 70(3): 744–764.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoenack, S. A. (1993). Higher education and economic growth. In W. E. Becker and D. R. Lewis (eds.),Higher Education and Economic Growth (pp. 21–50). Boston: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe, A. B. (1989a). Characterizing the “technological position” of firms, with application to quantifying technological opportunity and research spillovers.Research Policy 18: 87–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe, A. B. (1989b). Real effects of academic research.American Economic Review 79(5): 957–970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. C., and Tornatzky, L. G. (1984).Cooperative Science: A National Study of University and Industry Researchers (Vol. 1). Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. C., Tornatzky, L. G., and Schlaaff, L. R. (1984).Cooperative Science: A National Study of University and Industry Researchers (Vol. 2). Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, B. G., and Phillips, A. (1982). The computer industry. In R. R. Nelson (ed.),Government and Technical Progress (pp. 162–232). New York: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knorr-Cetina, K. D. (1982). Scientific communities or trans-epistemic arenas of research? A critique of quasi-economic models of science.Social Studies of Science 12: 101–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konecci, E. B., and Kuhn, R. L. (eds.) (1985).Technology Venturing: American Innovation and Risk-taking. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton, E. (1971). Mirror-image twins: The communities of science and technology in 19th-century America.Technology and Culture 12(4): 562–580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, M. B. (1978). A literature citation study of science-technology coupling in electronics.Proceedings of the IEEE 66(1): 5–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lievrouw, L. A. (1989). The invisible college reconsidered: Bibliometrics and the development of scientific communication theory.Communication Research 16(5): 615–628.

    Google Scholar 

  • Low, G. M. (1983). The organization of industrial relationships in universities. In T. W. Langfitt, S. Hackney, A. P. Fishman, and A. V. Glowasky (eds.),Partners in the Research Enterprise (pp. 68–80). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund, L. (1986).Locating Corporate R&D Facilities (Report No. 892). New York: The Conference Board.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, E. (1982). Technology transfer, innovation and public policy. In D. Sahal (ed.),Research, Development, and Technological Innovation (pp. 15–40). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, E. (1991). Academic research and industrial innovation.Research Policy 20: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquis, D. G., and Allen, T. J. (1966). Communication patterns in applied technology.American Psychologist 21(11): 1052–1060.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matkin, G. W. (1990).Technology Transfer and the University. New York: American Council on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGinn, R. E. (1991).Science, Technology, and Society. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meltzer, L. (1956). Scientific productivity in organizational settings.Journal of Social Issues 12(2): 32–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, H. (1968). Informal communication in science: Its advantages and its formal analogues. In E. B. Montgomery (ed.),The Foundations of Access to Knowledge (pp. 153–163). Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R., and Cote, M. (1985). Growing the next Silicon Valley.Harvard Business Review 63: 114–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Million Dollar Directory (1986). Parsipanny, NJ: Dun & Bradstreet.

  • Mogavero, L. N., and Shane, R. S. (1982).What Every Engineer Should Know About Technology Transfer and Innovation. New York: Marcell Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowery, D. C. (1983). The relationship between intrafirm and contractual forms of industrial research in American manufacturing, 1900–1940.Explorations in Economic History 20: 351–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowery, D. C., and Rosenberg, N. (1982). The commercial aircraft industry. In R. R. Nelson (ed.),Government and Technical Progress (pp. 101–161). New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowery, D. C., and Rosenberg, N. (1989).Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullins, N., Hargens, L. L., Hecht, P. K., and Kick, E. L. (1977). The group structure of cocitation clusters: A comparative study.American Sociological Review 42: 552–562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narin, F., Corrigan, J. G., and Gallagher, M. G. (1986).The Quest for Knowledge: Contribution of U.S. Pharmaceutical Industry Scientists. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Economic Research.The Manufacturing Sector Master File: 1959–1987 [Machine-readable data file]. Cambridge, MA: Author (Producer).

  • National Center for Education Statistics (1989).Digest of Education Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Science Board (1993).Science and Engineering Indicators—1993. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office (NSB 93-1).

    Google Scholar 

  • National Science Foundation (1973).Interactions of Science and Technology in the Innovative Process: Some Case Studies. Columbus, OH: Battelle.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Science Foundation (1982).University-Industry Research Relationships: Myths, Realities and Potentials. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Science Foundation (1989).Academic Science/Engineering: R&D Funds Fiscal Year 1987. Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paisley, W. (1972). The role of invisible colleges in scientific information transfer.Educational Researcher 1(4): 5–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez, C., and Soete, L. (1988). Catching up in technology: Entry barriers and windows of opportunity. In G. Dosi, C. Freeman, R. Nelson, G. Silverberg, and L. Soete (eds.),Technical Change and Economic Theory (pp. 458–479). London: Pinter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, L. S., and Fusfeld, H. I. (1982). Current U.S. university/industry research connections. InUniversity-Industry Research Relationships: Selected Studies (pp. 1–161). Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powers, D. R., Powers, M. F., Betz, F., and Aslanian, C. B. (1988).Higher Education in Partnership with Industry. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prager, D. J., and Omenn, G. S. (1980). Research, innovation and university-industry linkages.Science 207: 379–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Premus, R. (1982).Location of High Technology Firms and Regional Economic Development. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, D. J. de S. (1965). Is technology historically independent of science? A study in statistical histography.Technology and Culture 6: 553–568.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, A. (1969). Statistical bibliography or bibliometrics?Journal of Documentation 25(4): 348–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Research and Planning Institute (1980).Case Studies Examining the Role of Government R&D Contract Funding in the Early History of High Technology Companies. Cambridge, MA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M. (1988). The role of the research university in the spin-off of high-technology companies. In K. Gronhaug and G. Kaufmann (eds.),Innovation: A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective (pp. 443–455). Oslo: Norwegian University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, N. (1990). Why do firms do basic research (with their own money)?Research Policy 19: 165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbloom, R. S., and Wolek, F. W. (1970).Technology and Information Transfer: A Survey of Practice in Industrial Organizations. Boston: Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, A. (1988). Quantitative studies of science: A current bibliography.Scientometrics 13 (3–4): 139–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Science Citation Index (1985–1988) Compact disk. Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slaughter, S. (1990).The Higher Learning and High Technology: Dynamics of Higher Education Policy Formation. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Small, H., and Greenlee, E. (1979).A Citation and Publication Analysis of U.S. Industrial Organizations. Washington, DC: National Science Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stankiewicz, R. (1986).Academics and Entrepreneurs: Developing University-Industry Relations. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Canada (1988).Universities: Enrollment and Degrees: 1986. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Canada (1989).Universities: Enrollment and Degrees: 1987. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tornatzky, L. G., and Fleischer, M. (1990).The Process of Technological Innovation. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Commerce (1991).State and Metropolitan Area Data Book 1991. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census (1990).Population Estimates for Metropolitan Statistical Areas, July 1, 1988, 1987, and 1986. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Universities and Industry Joint Committee (1970).Industry, Science, and Universities. London: Confederation of British Industry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varrin, R. D., and Kukich, D. S. (1985). Guidelines for industry-sponsored research at universities.Science 227: 385–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walshok, M. L. (1995).Knowledge Without Boundaries. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward's Business Directory (Vols. 1–2) (1988–1989). Belmont, CA: Information Access.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Arkansas University, SAU Box 1401, 71753-5000, Magnolia, Arkansas, USA

    Kristi M. Tornquist (Director of Library and Information Services)

  2. University of Minnesota, USA

    Stephen A. Hoenack (Director of the Management Information Division and Professor of Public Affairs)

Authors
  1. Kristi M. Tornquist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephen A. Hoenack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tornquist, K.M., Hoenack, S.A. Firm utilization of university scientific research. Res High Educ 37, 509–534 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01724936

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01724936

Keywords

Search

Navigation