Academic entrepreneurship: social norms, university culture and policies

Abstract

Is a shift in intellectual property rights to universities the key instrument in increasing commercialization of publicly funded research? How much can actually be learned from the US system, disregarding the ongoing debate as to whether the USA do actually outperform Europe in terms of commercializing university-based research? Taking Sweden as a role model, the article claims that this policy will not work, from the analysis of a unique database giving individual university researchers' views on participation in commercialization of public research, their commercialization experiences, and the obstacles researchers say exist to increase academic entrepreneurship. Despite researchers' positive attitudes towards engaging in commercial activities, the university culture, weak incentive structures and badly managed support facilities impede the creation of efficient links to markets. Measures must be taken at primarily the national level, but also at the university level, to enhance commercialization activities.

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