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Wissenschaftsunternehmer als Beruf? Berufs- und professionssoziologische Überlegungen vor dem Hintergrund aktueller (Ent-)Differenzierungsphänomene der Wissenschaft

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  • Torka, Marc
  • Borcherding, Anke

Abstract

Der „Wissenschaftsunternehmer“ wird in der Wissenschaftspolitik und -forschung als zentrale Schnittstellenfigur zwischen Wissenschaft und Ökonomie diskutiert. Wir definieren „Wissenschaftsunternehmer“ als Wissenschaftler, die über Unternehmensgründungen („Ausgründungen“ bzw. „spin-offs“) versuchen, Forschung in ökonomische Verwertungszusammenhänge zu überführen. Mit dieser Schnittstellenfigur verbinden sich die wissenschaftspolitische Hoffnung und die wissenschaftssoziologische These einer zunehmenden Auflösung, Entgrenzung oder Entdifferenzierung beider Bereiche („blurring of boundaries“). Der vorliegende Beitrag hebt diese weitreichende These auf den Prüfstand und kommt zu anderen Ergebnissen. Empirisch zeigt sich, dass bislang keine stabile Rolle als „Wissenschaftsunternehmer“ entstanden ist. In den Vermittlungsversuchen beider Welten reproduzieren sich deren Differenzen: Der Übergang in Ausgründungen wird als eine wesentliche berufsbiographische Entscheidungssituation thematisiert, in der entweder die Wissenschaftler- oder Unternehmerrolle übernommen wird. Fehlt eine solche klare Entscheidung, dann trifft man nicht auf eine Rollenintegration, sondern auf eine oftmals prekäre Rollendoppelung. Die theoretische Schlussfolgerung ist, dass es keinen Anlass für eine gesellschaftstheoretische Überinterpretation des „Wissenschaftsunternehmers“ als Entdifferenzierungsphänomen gibt. In konzeptioneller Hinsicht schlagen wir einen Perspektivenwechsel vor. Statt den „Wissenschaftsunternehmer“ auf der Ebene der Systemintegration zu beobachten, sollte eine bescheidenere berufs- und professionssoziologische Frage gestellt werden: Inwiefern und unter welchen Bedingungen bildet sich ein eigenständiger Beruf und eine Berufsrolle als „Wissenschaftsunternehmer“ heraus?

Suggested Citation

  • Torka, Marc & Borcherding, Anke, 2008. "Wissenschaftsunternehmer als Beruf? Berufs- und professionssoziologische Überlegungen vor dem Hintergrund aktueller (Ent-)Differenzierungsphänomene der Wissenschaft," Discussion Papers, Research Group Science Policy Studies SP III 2008-601, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wzbsps:spiii2008601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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