Academic ethos versus business ethics

Abstract

Increased cooperation between industry and university has led to a new role for the university: an economic role for the region and for society. Changing environmental values and constraints have caused an evolution from a 'public' model for the University towards a more 'commercial' model. These new 'industrial' services from university to industry – in the form of consulting, contract research, transfer of technology, spin–off companies and science parks – have created new ethical problems concerning the mission of the University and the industry–university relationship. Intellectual property rights, the choice of an industrial partner and financial rewards, can lead to potential conflicts of interests for the academic and endanger the objectivity and neutrality of the university. The increasing role of marketing of science and the growing interest from the media in sciences and technology increase the need for an appropriate university policy that combines academic freedom with the moral obligation to make use of the university's potential for the welfare of the region. These new issues seek an ethical response from all concerned parties: the individual researcher, the university, industry and government.

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