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Academics’ Motivations and Depth and Breadth of Knowledge Transfer Activities

Author

Listed:
  • Roberto Iorio

    (Department of Economics and Statistics (DISES), University of Salerno)

  • Sandrine Labory

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Ferrara)

  • Francesco Rentocchini

    (University of Valencia)

Abstract

The debate on the entrepreneurial university has raised questions about what motivates academics to engage with industry as well as what forms these knowledge transfer activities can take. This paper analyses the relationship between different forms of motivations, namely mission (following the entrepreneurial mission of the university), learning (access to wider knowledge base for research enhancement) and funding (obtaining financial resources), and the depth and breadth of knowledge transfer activities, measured by the combination of various formal and informal activities and the frequency of interactions. The study is focused on the case of Italian academics but it covers all disciplines. We find that the learning motivation appears to be less important in Italy while mission and funding prevail, probably due to the peculiarities of the Italian industrial system and to the necessity for Italian academics to look for external funding sources for their research.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Iorio & Sandrine Labory & Francesco Rentocchini, 2014. "Academics’ Motivations and Depth and Breadth of Knowledge Transfer Activities," Working Papers 1401, c.MET-05 - Centro Interuniversitario di Economia Applicata alle Politiche per L'industria, lo Sviluppo locale e l'Internazionalizzazione.
    • Handle: RePEc:cme:wpaper:1410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University-industry relations; joint research; collaborative research; commercialisation; entrepreneurial university; motivation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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