Knowledge transfer practices between researchers and industry within Institutes of Technology in Ireland

Abstract

Knowledge Transfer between Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and industry is essential in maintaining links between the research and development carried out in HEIs and the needs of industry. Recent reports on education in the third level sector in Ireland have advocated that research carried out in HEIs should provide a gross return to the economy and that HEIs should be more proactive in research commercialisation and collaboration with industry [1]. Knowledge transfer between HEIs and industry in Ireland occurs at a low level [2]. In light of this fact this research takes an investigational approach in to knowledge transfer practices between Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and industry in Ireland in order to assess the current trends, benefits and barriers experienced by stakeholders. This paper provides a snapshot of the results of a larger project. It will investigate the relationship between researchers within IoTs and national and international companies. 90 researchers in the 14 Irish IoTs were surveyed along with 48 national and international companies situated in Ireland. Results highlighted a link between the areas of research carried out by IoTs and production and manufacturing work carried out by industry. It was also found that the relationship was very positive however barriers to effective knowledge transfer were reported by each stakeholder.