Industrializing Knowledge: University-Industry Linkages in Japan and the United States

There is intense public interest in the role of universities as a source ofscience-based innovations. To increase our understanding of this role, this book compares theeconomic effects of university research in the United States and Japan--countries similar ineconomic and technological capabilities but different in culture, tradition, and institutionalstructure. Incorporating historical, sociological, and industrial perspectives, the book discussesboth the mechanics of university-industry interactions and how policies encouraging suchinteractions can address regional and national needs.Some of the results of this comparative studyare surprising. For example, contrary to common assumptions, collaboration between individualfaculty members and colleagues in industry appears to be as high in Japan as it is in the UnitedStates. It also becomes clear that it is the pace of technological change, more than governmentincentives, that puts universities in the position of driving the most exciting areas of businessgrowth. Finally, although universities are vital to the networks that lead to innovation-basedgrowth, experience in both Japan and the United States suggests that policies aimed at transformingeconomically depressed areas through the promotion of university-based ventures are difficult toimplement when the environment for economic transformation is weak.Contributors : Lewis M.Branscomb, Amy B. Candell, Y. T. Chien, Henry Etzkowitz, Irwin Feller, Richard Florida, Michael S.Fogarty, Gerald Hane, Takehiko Hashimoto, Adam B. Jaffe, Sumio Kakinuma, Shingo Kano, RobertKneller, Fumio Kodama, Hiroto Kotake, Josh Lerner, David C. Mowery, Masamitsu Negishi, Richard R.Nelson, Fujio Niwa, Hiroyuki Odagiri, Seiritsu Ogura, Yoshiyuki Ohtawa, Kenneth Pechter, Bhaven N.Sampat, Amit Sinha, Sheryl Winston Smith, Yuan Sun, Katsuya Tamai, Shinichi Yamamoto, MarikoYoshihara, Arvids Ziedonis.

Lewis M. Branscomb is Aetna Professor in Public Policy and Corporate Management, Emeritus, at Harvard University.