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2008 | Buch

Entrepreneurial Orientation in Academia

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Über dieses Buch

Entrepreneurial firms and new venture creation are important drivers for economic growth. Hence, emphasis is put on the question how to adequately stimulate and s- port new business creation. The corresponding discussion has not excluded academic organisations such as universities - quite the contrary. In Germany, this discussion was intensified by changes in the Employee Invention Act (Arbeitnehmererfinder- setz), which now obliges researchers to report an invention to the sponsoring univ- sity, which in return has to decide how the invention it will be exploited. Sub- quently, inventions and patents have emerged as a attractive economic resource for universities. This explains why university administrators have great interest in und- standing how the creative and entrepreneurial orientation of researchers or entire - search teams can be controlled, steered, and enhanced. The discussion we are having in Germany today began in the US more than 20 years ago. With the Bayh-Dole-Act of 1980, a shift in the allocation of property took place similar to the introduction of the Employee Invention Act in Germany today. In ad- tion, the notion of entrepreneurial activities in the context of research organisations has a long-lasting tradition in the US, and the current German system could learn a lot from understanding these developments. This has been the motive for Jan Boehm to look deeper into the field of entrepren- rial orientation in academia, in particular in the US.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
1.. Introduction
Abstract
Universities are in the focus of discussion about innovation-based economic growth in Germany, in the United States, and in other countries of the world. Historically, the university’s role in society comprised the functions of higher education and research, following Humboldt’s 19th century ideal of combining learning and research in one single institution. More recently, universities have transformed their role and extended their mission to incorporate a more commercially oriented element, based on the successes of technology transfer at universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) and Stanford University. Etzkowitz describes this transformation as the “second academic revolution”, which requires universities to act more entrepreneurially and commercially, and serve society not only by educating students, but also by fostering research which can be developed into marketable products and technologies, thereby advancing the public good and economic wealth.
2.. Context and Definitions
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is threefold. Firstly, it will position the dissertation within the field of entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship research has gained in importance over the recent years, and there are numerous areas of entrepreneurship science that have emerged and developed from pure exploration to a more grounded theory.
3.. Theoretical Framework and Literature Review
Abstract
The previous chapter presented the historic development of the relationship of academia and entrepreneurship in the U.S. and its status quo. In addition, it positioned this dissertation within different perspectives of entrepreneurship and technology transfer research, and defined the relevant terms. In this chapter, a theoretical framework will be derived from the existing literature and identified as a basis for the investigation of academic entrepreneurial behavior. Exhibit 8 illustrates the selection process of the theoretical framework.
4.. Conceptual Model and Hypotheses
Abstract
After having discussed alternative theories available to illuminate the question why some academic research units achieve more technology transfer results than others, this chapter will design a conceptual research model on the basis of the theory we identified as best suited to analyze the problem.
5.. Methodology
Abstract
Multivariate research techniques are powerful and well-suited tools to analyze strategic management or organizational behavior constructs such as entrepreneurial orientation. This chapter will firstly present multivariate techniques of the so-called “first generation”, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, it will introduce and discuss further advanced “second-generation” multivariate research techniques, in particular variance-based and covariance-based structural equation modeling. A comparison of the techniques across generations will lead to the assessment that second-generation multivariate research techniques are more suitable to contribute as a methodology to the problem of influence of entrepreneurial orientation on technology transfer performance.
6.. Data Collection and Analysis
Abstract
The purpose of the previous chapters was to establish a theoretical and methodological framework for this dissertation. As a next step, this chapter will present how empirical data was collected and analyzed. The goal of this investigation is to obtain a representative picture of entrepreneurial activity in research units, i.e. research laboratories and centers, at U.S. universities, and draw respective conclusions.
7.. Results and Discussion
Abstract
Knowledge and innovation are the most valuable resources in the twenty-first century. The success of a modern economy depends to a large degree on how and how quickly the transfer of knowledge and innovation into new products and technologies is managed.
8.. Conclusion
Abstract
Governments, companies, regional representatives and communities have an interest in universities and research organizations to create business opportunities and, as a consequence, to create companies, jobs and wealth in their respective region. Academic research institutions have therefore transformed from providers of education and research to creators of technology, businesses and economic growth.
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Entrepreneurial Orientation in Academia
verfasst von
Jan Boehm
Copyright-Jahr
2008
Verlag
Gabler
Electronic ISBN
978-3-8350-5572-8
Print ISBN
978-3-8350-0933-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-8350-5572-8