Leveraging university research to serve economic development: an analysis of policy dynamics in and across three US states

As economic competition becomes more global and knowledge-based, US states have independently pursued initiatives in research and development (R&D) and science and technology (S&T). Policy efforts often entwine government, universities, and industry, aiming to stimulate socially optimal leve...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of higher education policy and management 2014-04, Vol.36 (2), p.196-211
Main Authors: Warshaw, Jarrett B., Hearn, James C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
academe-industry partnerships
Administrator Attitudes
Boundaries
Business education relationship
Case Studies
Collaboration
Comparative Analysis
Competition
Corporations
Development policy
Economic development
Economic Factors
Economic growth
Economic policy
Economic Progress
Economic research
Georgia
Higher education
Industrial policy
Industry
Innovation
Interviews
Leadership
Missouri
Negotiation
Partnerships in Education
Postsecondary education
Public Policy
R&D
Research & development
Research and Development
School Business Relationship
Science
Science and Society
science and technology
Sciences
State Policy
States
Technology
Texas
Universities
University business relationship
University research
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:As economic competition becomes more global and knowledge-based, US states have independently pursued initiatives in research and development (R&D) and science and technology (S&T). Policy efforts often entwine government, universities, and industry, aiming to stimulate socially optimal levels of innovation and economic growth. Partnerships in this arena are well documented, but few studies foreground first-person accounts of policy dynamics. Through comparative case study of Georgia, Missouri, and Texas, we present perspectives of government, university, and industry leaders, who form and negotiate boundaries and roles for collaboration. We find that (1) S&T competition has been distinct from national initiatives and more domestic than global; (2) the three states feature similar policies but have evolved 'new economy' approaches idiosyncratically; and (3) universities in these states have driven endeavours, evincing specific industry/corporate perspectives. Themes suggest competition - not collaboration - within a national-innovation system and intriguing yet challenging opportunities for academic leaders and managers.
ISSN:1360-080X
1469-9508
DOI:10.1080/1360080X.2014.884678