University–industry links in R&D and consultancy in Ireland's indigenous high-tech sector

Abstract

Between 1995 and 2007, the Irish Government implemented a variety of measures designed to enhance the infrastructure and profile of research activities in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The aim was to foster a culture of innovation-led academic entrepreneurship and, thereby, develop links between HEIs and indigenous industry in Ireland, with particular emphasis on research and development (R&D) links. This paper analyses the barriers and stimulants to the creation and maintenance of links between HEIs and industry and focuses specifically on R&D and consultancy links. The findings indicate that indigenous high-tech firms are not the key benefactors of Ireland's science and technology (S&T) base. Whilst firms are engaging in innovative activities, HEIs are excluded from such developments. Teaching and training links constitute the most common form of interaction, not R&D links and consultancy links, as might have been expected.

Keywords:

• university–industry links
• R&D
• consultancy
• Ireland

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to extend their thanks to EI and the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) for funding the research and to three anonymous referees for their extremely valuable comments on an earlier draft of this paper. We would also like to thank Dr Susan Hegarty for assistance with the graphics.