![]() ![]() Methodology: Finding a link between patents and universities In a recent paper (Helmers and Rogers 2010), we explore these questions empirically by analysing the impact of university research on the patenting activity of manufacturing firms in the UK. Such a conclusion would be misplaced, however, if knowledge transfer were localised and the link between research “quality” and successful knowledge transfer was less pronounced. If “high-quality” research-intensive universities have a larger effect on innovation by private companies, regardless of the university’s geographical location, scarce public funding might be best allocated to a few world-class, research-oriented universities. Should research be focused on the “best” universities and, of course, how should one determine the “best”? Is it important to ensure university research is spread across a wide range of regions? In other words, does the impact of knowledge transfer depend on the “quality” of research and is its effect geographically local?Īnswers to these questions have direct implications for the allocation of public funding of university research. This involves choices over both how many universities should be funded and also the distribution of funding across universities. ![]() As emphasised in a recent report by the Research Councils UK (2010), the capacity of university research to positively impact on private firm performance and innovative activity is an important argument in favour of public funding of university research in the UK.įrom a policy perspective, a critical question is how to allocate money for university research. Universities have a potential impact on firm innovation in a variety of ways including publication of fundamental research, university patenting and licensing, spin-offs and university incubators and science parks, joint research with firms, consultancy projects, the training of students and employees etc. University research is a catalyst for business sector innovations, according to several empirical studies (see for example, Agrawal 2001). ![]()
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