Toward classification of transfer research: an exploratory analysis based on indicators of academic engagement of knowledge transfer in academia–industry

This study aims to identify a grouping of academic researchers based on how they perform academic engagement knowledge transfer (AEKT) activities. Cluster analysis was performed to classify 512 researchers from Spanish public universities according to AEKT activities. The analysis identified three profiles of researchers: (1) Non-transferring researchers in AEKT, (2) Transfer researcher in certain forms of AEKT, and (3) Global transferring researchers in AEKT. A portrait of each type of transfer researcher based on demographic, institutional, and labor drivers was made. The most intensive researchers in AEKT are the most senior, and have a high level of international collaboration. It could be understood that these factors have a continuous effect. In addition, there are highly gendered and fielded differences. This study has practical implications for policymakers in helping them develop policies that promote knowledge transfer productivity. It also has implications for universities as it can help establish specific strategies in line with their mission and encourage their researchers to perform these AEKT activities. This study also has implications for company managers in that AEKT positively impacts companies by improving their competitive positions. This study reflects the behavior and characteristics of academic researchers in AEKT activities. The main contribution of this paper is to show how the degree of access or belonging to these factors profiles the researcher, making him/her belong to one of the established groups or clusters.