Impacts of research universities on technological innovation in industry: evidence from engineering research centers

NSF engineering research centers (ERCs) constitute the most upstream performer of R&D among university-industry-government research centers. Findings from surveys and interviews with 355 firms participating in the 18 ERCs established between 1985 and 1990 indicate that firms participate primarily to gain access to upstream modes of knowledge rather than specific products and processes. Findings also point to problematic continuation of industrial support for ERCs following termination of NSF funding after funding the maximum number of years (It) permitted under the program,and related pressures on ERCs to direct their research portfolios towards shorter-term, more applied research. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.