Entrepreneurial universities - the key ingredient in the recipe for UK innovation?

This study of 15 UK universities explores the reality of university-industry liaison and service delivery roles. Contextualized within the role of universities in innovation and knowledge transfer, it confirms the views of previous analysts that tensions result from imposing third mission activities on organizations established for other purposes. Policy makers need to address the heterogeneity of the higher education sector if they are to achieve success with regard to UK competitiveness. Such an approach will include the recognition that internal collaboration may be actively discouraged while external links are simultaneously emphasized in institutional mission statements. Also, successful business engagement requires a flexible and responsive culture and an emphasis on external collaboration.