COMMERCIALIZATION AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY: BALANCING INTERESTS IN AN UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT

Keywords: entrepreneurial university, fundamental and applied research, balance of interests, technology transfer, research ethics, commercialization, innovation creation

Abstract

The paper investigates the impact of a growing trend in universities: the focus on commercialization and generating revenue. While this approach attracts resources and fuels innovation, it raises concerns about the long-term health of fundamental research, the kind that lays the groundwork for future breakthroughs. Additionally, the study explores potential ethical dilemmas that might arise from partnerships with industry partners. These collaborations could restrict research freedom and limit the open exchange of knowledge crucial for scientific progress. Overall, the research highlights the need for a balanced approach within universities, one that fosters innovation while safeguarding the core values of academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge across all disciplines.

References

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Etzkowitz, H., Webster, A., Gebhardt, C., Terra, B. R. C. The future of the university and the university of the future: evolution of ivory tower to entrepreneurial paradigm. Research Policy. 2000. Vol. 29(2). P. 313–330.

Guerrero, M., Fayolle, A., Di Guardo, M. C., Lamine, W., Mian, S. Re-viewing the entrepreneurial university: strategic challenges and theory building opportunities. Small Business Economics. 2023.

Audretsch, David B. From the entrepreneurial university to the university for the entrepreneurial society. The Journal of Technology Transfer. 2014. Vol. 39(3). P. 313–321.

Clauss, T., Moussa, A., Kesting, T. Entrepreneurial university: a stakeholder-based conceptualisation of the current state and an agenda for future research. International Journal of Technology Management. 2018. Vol. 77(1/2/3). P. 109–144.

Philpott, K., Dooley, L., O’Reilly, C. Lupton, G. The entrepreneurial university: Examining the underlying academic tensions. Technovation. 2011. Vol. 31. P. 161–170.

Lynch, K., Ivancheva, M. Academic freedom and the commercialisation of universities: a critical ethical analysis. Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics. 2015. Vol. 15(1). P. 71–85.

Liu, S., van der Sijde, P. C. Towards the entrepreneurial university 2.0: Reaffirming the responsibility of universities in the era of accountability. Sustainability. 2021. Vol. 13(6). P. 1–14.

Human Genome Project Timeline. URL: https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project/timeline (дата звернення: 16.06.2024).

The transistor: The most important invention of the 20th century? URL: https://www.computerworld.com/article/1568347/the-transistor-the-most-important-invention-of-the-20th-century.html (дата звернення: 16.06.2024).

Pan, X., Gao, Y., Guo, D., Cheng, W. Does Higher Education Promote Firm Innovation in China? Sustainability. 2020. Vol. 12(18). P. 1–14.

Humphreys, D., Davenport, A. What Really Matters in College: How Students View and Value Liberal Education. Liberal Education & America’s Promise. Liberal Education. 2005. Vol. 91. P. 36–43.

Financial Conflict of Interest. NIH Central Resource for Grants and Funding Information. URL: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/coi/index.htm (дата звернення: 18.06.2024).

Alibasic, H., L. Atkinson, C. Pelcher, J. The liminal state of academic freedom: navigating corporatization in higher education. Discover Education. 2024. Vol. 3(1).

Pfeifer, L., Helming, K. Effective mission-oriented research: A new framework for systemic research impact assessment. Research Evaluation. 2024. Vol. 00. P. 1–15.

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Published
2024-05-27
How to Cite
Dzhus, V. (2024). COMMERCIALIZATION AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY: BALANCING INTERESTS IN AN UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT. Economy and Society, (63). https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-63-104
Section
ECONOMICS