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Incentives for knowledge valorisation: a European benchmark

Author

Listed:
  • Linda H. M. van de Burgwal

    (VU University Amsterdam
    Sovalacc BV)

  • Ana Dias

    (VU University Amsterdam)

  • Eric Claassen

    (VU University Amsterdam
    Sovalacc BV)

Abstract

Studies on incentives to stimulate researcher engagement in knowledge valorisation have primarily focused on incentives for economic output and it remains unclear how universities configure incentives for a broad societal impact of knowledge. Therefore, this article explores the presence and design of incentives for the full range of knowledge valorisation activities by employing a bottom-up, mixed-methods design. In 17 semi-structured interviews with representatives from highly ranked European universities, 11 distinct incentives for valorisation activities with an academic, civil society, entrepreneurial or state-governmental orientation were identified. Subsequently, a quantifying survey was conducted (n = 48). Perceived effectiveness did not directly correspond to presence and desirability, indicating that additional motives play a role in implementing incentives, including managing conflict of interest situations. For non-scalable (hour-based) activities broader bandwidths of allocated percentages were employed that were more dependent on case by case attribution of income and for which more conditions to limit conflicts of interest were in place. Interestingly, this study found a negative correlation between the number of such restricting conditions being in place for consultancy and the university’s overall success in industry income. A flowchart is presented that university management may use to align the selection and design of their incentives with their motives.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda H. M. van de Burgwal & Ana Dias & Eric Claassen, 2019. "Incentives for knowledge valorisation: a European benchmark," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:44:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10961-017-9594-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-017-9594-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. Li Yu & Hui Guo & Olivier Bégin-Caouette & Silvia Mirlene Nakano Koga & Grace Karram Stephenson, 2022. "Academic Entrepreneurial Engagement among Academics in Canada and China: The Impact of Research Orientation and University Expectations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Marlous Blankesteijn & Bart Bossink & Peter Sijde, 2021. "Science-based entrepreneurship education as a means for university-industry technology transfer," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 779-808, June.
    4. Kwadwo Atta-Owusu & Rune Dahl Fitjar, 2022. "What motivates academics for external engagement? Exploring the effects of motivational drivers and organizational fairness [The Nature of Academic Entrepreneurship in the UK: Widening the Focus on," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 49(2), pages 201-218.
    5. Klaudia Bracio & Marek Szarucki, 2020. "Mixed Methods Utilisation in Innovation Management Research: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Summary," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-27, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Knowledge valorisation; Incentives; Benchmark; Knowledge paradox; Knowledge transfer; Societal impact;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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