How can we further develop innovative products out from research?
How can we further develop innovative products out from research?
For the author Amar Bhidé "The Venturesome economy" research is not central for an innovative economy. It is however important to use innovations in the workforce to maintain a leading edge and a growing economy. Michael Porter's paper Global Competitiveness report, published in the 2002-2003, may seem a bit out-dated in the linear depiction of the transition between factor-, investment- and innovation- driven economies. It was remarked that places like India are experiencing a concomitant development of all three phases. |  |
Universities are more and more engaged in semi-commercial activities such as fund raising. Is that good or bad? On one hand, it has a positive impact on better alignment between academics and private firms. On the other hand, universities should only act upon real market failures and not substitute for existing players. A discussion followed concerning the competence of TT professionals to address early stage funding of projects.
In terms of entrepreneurship, biotech firms may be squeezed by the closing gap between pharma and universities.The pharmaceutical industry wants to be closely tied to universities to improve the likelihood of success. The traditional pharma industry still struggles to innovate because of their processes and internal organization. An interesting example is the collaboration Roche-Harvard. Newcomers from Asia may however be much more entrepreneurial.
At the end of the discussion, the participants could share their opinion on whether we experience a convergence or divergence of the technology transfer models worldwide. The participants were split on the subject, suggesting a third point of view: a convergence within localized geographical areas, but a divergence outside such areas.
