The impact of industry funding on scientific activities

Science Research Management ›› 2015, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (12) : 19-28.

Zhao Yandong¹, Hong Wei²

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Abstract

While it is widely acknowledged that collaborations between public research sectors and private sectors will promote national innovativeness, there are few empirical studies exploring the positive or negative effects of such collaborations on scientific activities. Based on a national survey of 7000 scientists in China conducted in 2008, this study examines how industry funding affects scientific cultures, collaboration networks, scientific engagements and scientific outcomes. The findings show that scientists who get funds from industry tend to engage more actively in their studies, build up broader cooperation networks, and perform better in the commercialization of their inventions. However, it is also found that the collaboration with industry might bring about negative consequences to scientific cultures and basic researches. This study sheds new light on the university-industry relationships and provides us with policy implications.

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industry funding / scientific cultures / collaboration network / scientific engagements / scientific outcomes

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Zhao Yandong, Hong Wei. The impact of industry funding on scientific activities[J]. Science Research Management. 2015, 36(12): 19-28

References

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