The theme of this research is knowledge transfer from UK universities. Growing recognition of the importance of innovation for economic growth in the UK led to funding streams targeted at UK universities since 1999. This encouraged UK universities to increase, or commence, knowledge transfer activities over the last decade. In the USA, technology transfer has been promoted through legislation for more than three decades. E2<tensive research has been conducted on American university technology transfer. Some credit university technology transfer with a resurgence in American industry. Therefore, American technology transfer is often used as a benchmark for activity undertaken by UK universities. The history and contexts for the development of knowledge transfer in the UK and technology transfer in the USA have been examined using institutional theory. UK knowledge transfer is compared with American technology transfer, by developing profiles of current day activity. These profiles are then considered in the context of relevant history. To further explorl3 knowledge transfer profiles and the paths that led to them, three case studies of UK universities are examined. These allow the rich influences to be explored in more detail. Finally, economic development work by universities is examined. Different approaches to this area of university knowledge transfer both within the UK, and comparing the UK and USA, have been studied using evolutionary theory. Perspectives on economic development activities differ at UK and American universities. Contributions made by this research include a systematic review of the UK knowledge transfer literature, use of theory, novel methodology, and the policy and practical implications for UK university knowledge transfer. The thesis concludes that some institutions ("formal and informal rules of the game") influencing UK universities, over the last few decades, discouraged engagement in knowledge transfer. In the USA, however, the institutions affecting universities encourage engagement with technology transfer.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:654544 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Decter, Moira Helen |
| Publisher | Lancaster University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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