Industry & Higher Education

IP Publishing Ltd

The world's leading journal for all involved in collaboration between higher education and business

Editorial coverage

Industry and Higher Education, published six times per year, is dedicated to the relationships between business and industry and higher education institutions. With a strong emphasis on practical aspects, the journal covers organizational, economic, political, legal, and social issues relating to developments in education-industry collaboration.
Among the key topics are:

Knowledge transfer from research to commercial application
Educating for entrepreneurship
Clusters and the regional economy
Preparing students for the world of work
International and national initiatives for collaboration
Respective needs in the industry–education relationship
Lifelong learning
University–industry networks
University–industry training programmes
Business–education partnerships for social and economic progress
Skills needs and the role of higher education
Formation, structure and performance of academic spin-off companies
Personnel exchange
Industrial liaison in universities
Intellectual property in the HE sector
Distance education

Submissions - Notes for authors

Please send all submissions to John Edmondson, Industry and Higher Education, IP Publishing Ltd, 258 Belsize Road, London NW6 4BT, UK.
jedmondson(at)ippublishing.com

Type and length of contributions

The major part of the journal is taken up by papers between 4,000 and 8,000 words long. These should be analytical and evaluative in approach and not simply descriptive. Other contributions include opinion or 'viewpoint' pieces (1,500-3,000 words); case studies of specific ventures or programmes (1,500-3,000 words); brief factual summaries of reports, agency programmes, educational institutions, etc (1,000-2,000 words); and letters to the editors.

Presentation

Submissions should be double-spaced. They can be sent either by e-mail to the editor or by post (in which case two hard copies and a disk should be enclosed). Papers should preferably be sent in Word (please note that PDF versions are not acceptable for review purposes). The title page should contain full names of the authors, their professional status or affiliation and the address to which they wish correspondence to be sent. There should be an abstract of about 100 words at the beginning of the paper. The text should be organized under appropriate cross-headings and where possible these should not be more than 800 words apart.

Between 3 and 6 keywords should appear below the abstract, highlighting the main topics of the paper.

References should follow the Harvard system. That is, they should be shown within the text as the author's surname (or authors' surnames) followed by a comma and the year of publication, all in round brackets: for example, (Smith, 1998). At the end of the article a bibliographical list should be supplied, organized alphabetically by author (surnames followed by initials - all authors should be named). Bibliographic information should be given in the order indicated by the following examples:

Articles: Collins, Steven W. (2001), 'Academic research and regional innovation: insights from Seattle, Washington', Industry and Higher Education, Vol 15, No 3, pp 217 - 221.
Books: Roberts, E.B., ed (1991), Entrepreneurs in High Technology, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Notes should be numbered consecutively in the text and typed in plain text at the end of the paper (not as footnotes on text pages).

Figures and tables should be presented separately on separate sheets at the end of the text. Each figure or table must be referred to in the text - the first reference will be used to locate the figure or table in the final printed version.

Prior Publication

Articles are received on the understanding that they are original contributions, and have not been published officially, either in print or electronic form, or submitted for publication elsewhere. In this respect, ‘discussion’ or ‘working’ papers, conference presentations and proceedings are not considered to be official publications, unless they have been formally deemed so by conference organizers, or presented as edited works through recognized publishing channels. If in doubt, authors are asked to draw the attention of the Editor to any prior dissemination of the paper in their letter of submission.

Refereeing

Other than research notes, reports, and personal opinion pieces, articles will be refereed. Papers by authors who are not academics (eg submissions from industry) will also be subject to review before acceptance, but their distinct nature and aims will be fully taken into account.

Copyright

Unless otherwise indicated, articles are received on the understanding that they are original contributions, and have not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. The editors reserve the right to edit or otherwise alter contributions, but authors will see proofs before publication. Wherever possible, authors are asked to assign copyright to IP Publishing Ltd. Relevant authors' rights are protected.

Editorial Board

Editor: John Edmondson, IP Publishing Ltd, 258 Belsize Road, London NW6 4BT, UK. E-mail: jedmondip(at)aol.com or Jedmondson(at)ippublishing.com.

Editorial Advisory Board

Special Adviser: Professor John Kelly, University College Dublin, Ireland
David E. Allnutt
Axia Limited, USA
Professor Graham Beaver
Birmingham City University, UK
Richard A. Bendis
Innovation America, USA
Howard W. Bremer
Attorney at Law, Patent and Licensing Causes, USA
Professor Bruce Calway
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Dr Mike Clements
Staffordshire University, UK
Professor Manlio Del Giudice
Second University of Naples, Italy
Professor Marek Dietrich
Higher Education-Business Forum, Poland
Dr E.J. Duff
Innovation Management Consultant, UK
Dr Brian K. Fitzgerald
Business-Higher Education Forum, USA
Professor Piero Formica
National University of Ireland
Dr Pat Frain
University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Thomas Gering
Intellectual Asset Management Corp., USA, and CSEM, Switzerland
Keith Gilchrist
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Canada
Professor Aaron W. Hughey
Western Kentucky University, USA
Professor Ron Johnston
University of Sydney, Australia
Professor Okyay Kaynak
Bogaziçi University, Turkey
Dr John Kirkland
Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK
Professor John P. Klus
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Dr Glenda Kruss
Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa
Dr Loet Leydesdorff
University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Professor Michael J. Lynskey,
Komazawa University, Japan
Professor Harry Matlay
Birmingham City University Business School, UK
Professor Gerard McElwee
Nottingham Trent University, UK
Professor Jay Mitra
University of Essex, UK
Professor Phillipe Mustar
École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, France
Professor Hiromitsu Muta
Department of Education, Japan
Dr Constantine N. Papadakis
Drexel University, USA
Professor George M. Papadourakis
Technological Institute of Crete, Greece
Edward Prosser
Consultant, UK
Dr E. H. Robson
Oxford, UK
Dr Robert Ronstadt
former Vice President of Technology Commercialization,
Boston University, USA
Professor Howard Rush
University of Brighton, UK
Professor Takashi Sakamoto
National Institute of Multimedia Education, Japan
Francesc Santacana
Knowledge and Development Foundation, Spain
Dr Peter van der Sijde
Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Professor Urmas Varblane
University of Tartu, Estonia
Professor Hebe Vessuri
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Venezuela
Dr Mary Lindenstein Walshok
University of California at San Diego
Dennys Watson
Consultant, UK
Professor Andrew Webster
University of York, UK

February 2010 ISSUE (VOL 24, NO 1)

4 Monitor

A bimonthly round-up of developments worldwide

7 Accelerating venture creation and building on mutual strengths in experimental business labs

Martin G. Curley and Piero Formica

11 Indispensable traits of high-performance advisory committees

Scott Newman

17 Exploring ‘transnational’ university cooperation in knowledge transfer: a European perspective

Sjors van der Heide, Peter van der Sijde and Cees Terlouw

29 Capitalizing on knowledge from public research institutions: indications from new technology-based firms in Japan

Michael J. Lynskey

47 Achieving and sustaining new knowledge development in high-expectation start-ups

Diego Matricano

55 University–industry relationships: benefits and risks

Jon Sandelin

63 SME performance – results from a longitudinal study

Eslyn Isaacs and Christian Friedrich

70 Calendar

Title: Accelerating venture creation and building on mutual strengths in experimental business labs

Author(s): Martin G. Curley and Piero Formica

Abstract: This paper articulates the opportunity of using an experimental business laboratory approach as a means of accelerating the creation, incubation and testing of new venture ideas. Such a strategy leads to the establishment of a micro-ecosystem of aspiring entrepreneurs and others in a business laboratory environment. The goal is to create a mini idea-supercollider, in which a microscopic ‘De Medici Effect’ (Johansson, 2004) can be achieved, with aspiring entrepreneurs with different ideas, experiences and disciplines meeting in a spirit of open innovation – the sum of the whole being much greater than the sum of the individual parts. The development of an ecosystem for idea generation and rapid testing using business simulation tools can accelerate the creation, mobilization and diffusion stages of the knowledge lifecycle (Birkinshaw and Sheehan, 2002) in a knowledge-driven entrepreneurship venture, while de-risking potential ventures before significant capital is applied.

Title: Indispensable traits of high-performance advisory committees

Author(s): Scott Newman

Abstract: Most US post-secondary and business leaders recognize the value of industry advisors and advisory committees, and the important roles they can play with respect to post-secondary educational programmes. Most such committees, however, fall far short of realizing their potential impacts. This article provides insights and practical recommendations for individuals and organizations interested in or involved with the development, facilitation and/or evaluation of high-performance advisory boards.

Title: Exploring ‘transnational’ university cooperation in knowledge transfer: a European perspective

Author(s): Sjors van der Heide, Peter van der Sijde and Cees Terlouw

Abstract: The dissemination and transfer of knowledge are an important source of value-added in research activities, and the transfer of new knowledge to society is now seen as a key responsibility of universities. Transnational research cooperation is pivotal to European research funding and, with this in mind, the authors examine the state of cooperation among European universities in knowledge transfer activities. They identify the key modes of academic knowledge transfer as patenting and licensing; spin-offs and enterprise creation; university–industry networks; and continuous professional development. From their study it appears that, although universities wish to increase the extent of cooperation, structural cooperation in knowledge transfer does not seem to be the ambition of many universities. The study thus confirms that knowledge transfer in Europe remains largely a regional and national affair.

Title: Capitalizing on knowledge from public research institutions: indications from new technology- based firms in Japan

Author(s): Michael J. Lynskey

Abstract: Knowledge spillovers from universities and other public research institutions (PRIs) are viewed as essential for innovation. Previous studies examining the impact of such spillovers have been confined to the West, and there are no comparable studies using empirical data from Japan that explore the relationship between spillovers from PRIs and innovation in firms. The author attempts to address this gap by using data from Japanese PRIs and new technology-based firms (NTBFs). He examines several topics: the evidence that knowledge spillovers from PRIs are localized in Japan; the extent to which such spillovers are contingent on geographical proximity; whether the type of tool used to measure spillovers – patents or scientific publications – has a bearing on the results; and the relationship between spillovers and innovation in Japanese NTBFs.

Title: Achieving and sustaining new knowledge development in high-expectation start-ups

Author(s): Diego Matricano

Abstract: In markets characterized by strong competition, new knowledge and new knowledge development are generally recognized as the key means for an enterprise to gain competitive advantage. This knowledge-based competitive advantage is critical for all commercial ventures, but is especially so for high-expectation start-ups (technology-based ventures anticipating high growth rates). Even though the organizational processes of a start-up are still under development, the success of new knowledge development is affected by three critical factors – the structure of the enterprise, the organizational technology and the knowledge promoters. An analysis of these factors suggests that the role of the knowledge promoter is the key determinant of knowledge development success in the case of early-stage high-expectation start-ups.

Title: University–industry relationships: benefits and risks

Author(s): Jon Sandelin

Abstract: University–industry relationships can bring significant benefits to the university, the company and the individual researcher, but there is also the potential for risks to all parties. This paper presents the potential rewards and risks from university–industry relationships and the related opportunities for economic growth and job creation. The author describes how conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment (COIC) can have potential adverse effects for society, research institutions and individual researchers. He provides information on managing COIC to avoid risks and gives examples of COIC situations and how they might be dealt with. The final section of the paper includes references to sources of information on appropriate policies and procedures for dealing with COIC.

Title: SME performance – results from a longitudinal study

Author(s): Eslyn Isaacs and Christian Friedrich

Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have become the backbone of industrialized economies. This trend is also evident in South Africa, where, however, there are more closures than expansions: it is believed that only around 1% of the micro-enterprises started with fewer than five employees grow to employ up to 10 people. Consequently, these businesses contribute little to the taxation base of the economy, thus depriving the country of potential and much needed tax revenue. The rhetoric about the importance of SMEs in relation to the sustainability of jobs and poverty alleviation is current in South Africa, as elsewhere. Yet no studies have been conducted in the country to confirm that SMEs do have the desired effects. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain whether SMEs do indeed contribute to and/or are able to sustain jobs over time. Performance data on SMEs were collected over a three-year period. During this period, a very small number of businesses closed due to failure; others simply disappeared or ceased business operations without formally de- registering the business.