Determinants of Knowledge and Technology Transfer Activities Between Firms and Science Institutions in Switzerland: An Analysis Based on Firm Data

Open access
Date
2005-12Type
- Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics
Abstract
This study explores the factors determining the propensity of Swiss firms to interact with public science institutions in Switzerland (universities and other research institution), i.e. to get involved in knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) activities in order to gain new tacit and/or codified scientific knowledge in research fields which are relevant for their own innovation activities. We are especially interested in the different forms of this interaction, not only through joint research projects but also through training, recruitment of qualified R&D personnel, jointly supervised master theses and PhDs, consulting and so on. The data used in this study were collected in the course of a survey among Swiss enterprises. The new elements that this paper adds to empirical literature are, first, the analysis of a wide spectrum of KTT activities covering not only research co-operation agreements between firms and science institutions but also general informational and educational activities (transfer of “tacit” knowledge), joint use of technical infrastructure and consulting. Although such additional activities seem to be an important part of KTT activities, they have been neglected in most studies. Second, a further important element is the explicit consideration of a series of relevant motives and obstacles as determinants of KTT which contribute significantly to the econometric explanation of firms’ propensity to overall KTT activities as well as to several forms of KTT activities. Third, some insights are gained with respect to the differences between manufacturing and service firms in transacting with science institutions. This is the first Swiss firm-level study on this matter. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-005104876Publication status
publishedJournal / series
KOF Working PapersVolume
Publisher
KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH ZurichSubject
Innovation activities; TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER; COMPANIES; Knowledge and technology transfer; TECHNOLOGIETRANSFER; R&D activities; UNTERNEHMEN; WISSENSTRANSFER; SWITZERLAND (CENTRAL EUROPE). SWISS CONFEDERATION; SCHWEIZ (MITTELEUROPA). SCHWEIZERISCHE EIDGENOSSENSCHAFT; KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER; WISSENSCHAFTEN, FORSCHUNG UND KENNTNISSE IM ALLGEMEINEN; SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE IN GENERALOrganisational unit
02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute
More
Show all metadata
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics