Member Article

Does the UK knowledge transfer model need revamping?

The UK’s model of knowledge transfer is actually restricting commercialisation, according to a leading expert.

Ahead of the ‘Innovation through Knowledge Transfer 2012’ conference at the University of Bournemouth, Professor Mike Smith has set out the need for different thinking.

He said: “Thinking purely in terms of knowledge ‘transfer’ or ‘exchange’ is part of the reason why the HE and private sectors in the UK so often struggle to work well together.

“In fact, the future lies in the ‘co-creation’ of innovation. Because universities focus on what technologies or skills they can ‘transfer’ to the private sector, this creates a trading relationship: we sell, you buy. It is a ‘sage on a stage’ model – the academic expert bestowing their knowledge on a private sector audience.

“This model actually restricts effective commercialisation and is one of the main reasons knowledge transfer in the UK is hitting the buffers.

“If we’re to see the sector advance, universities and companies need to start identifying non-obvious, unmet needs and jointly create the innovation to fulfil them, developing relationships based on trust rather than trade.”

Professor Smith suggests that differing governance in the public and private sectors is fuelling the ‘culture clash’ between the two.

He says the risk averse nature of the public sector is hampering economic transformation.

“Even when universities have created separate organisations to manage their commercialisation, these often labour under public sector-style governance which forces them into a slow-moving, trading paradigm.

“We need to have different kinds of arrangements if universities and the private sector are to successfully co-create innovation.”

There also needs to be a third party at the table, suggests Professor Smith, and that is the user.

He adds: “I first became involved in commercialising research because I saw it was the only way that the innovations being developed within academia would actually reach patients – those technologies had to be commercially available to hospitals and the only way that could happen was through the private sector.”

“It’s important to remember that, while making money is all well and good, the main driver for commercialisation is to take our research out of the lab and into the real world, so it has an impact on and provides a benefit for people.

“Involving them in the process of innovation will help ensure this happens.”

Ashley Evans, chief executive of the Electronics Technology Network, said: “I would say that this approach would really only be applicable when the academic and business partner already have a reasonably mature, trusting partnership.

“We really need to get more companies to this point. We use a phrase “New to Them” technologies.

“These are technologies, or innovations that are already deployed in one market (perhaps from a different sector), but could be introduced to a new market, product or process - this type of innovation appeals to business, since there will be a level of maturity to the technology, and hence, time to market (and risks) are better understood by the business.

“This would be an interesting area for higher education to exploit with business, and I’m sure would drive innovation. It’s more of a solution/problem driven approach.

“Business defines the problem statement, academia research the solution based upon known technologies.”

Alec Reader, Director at the NanoKTN, said: “Building close relationships between UK businesses and universities is a key factor in driving commercialisation and promoting effective knowledge transfer.

“Collaborative R&D schemes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are an integral part of increasing competiveness and productivity through use of technology and skills which reside within the UK knowledge base.

“There are currently over 1000 national KTPs in place throughout the UK, providing UK businesses with an opportunity to drive revenues and ultimately encourage commercialisation and increase the wealth creating power of the UK.

“By encouraging open innovation and increasing the close and long-term interaction between businesses and academic institutions, UK companies are able to accelerate product development and drive innovation.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .