Title: The evaluation of policies for knowledge transfer: some emerging issues

Authors: Elisa Barbieri

Addresses: Department of Economic Studies, University of Ferrara, Via Voltapaletto, 11, 44121 Ferrara, Italy

Abstract: In the US experience, the Bayh-Dole Act has been considered as the major cause of an increase in technology transfer through university patents. Bayh-Dole inspired regulations to emerge in European countries as an attempt to increase university–business relations. Nevertheless, a much smaller amount of empirical evidence has been produced in Europe, compared to the USA, on the effects of such policy changes. In addition, such evidence rarely takes into account forms of technology transfer other than university patenting. This paper highlights how unexpected adverse effects can arise from Bayh-Dole-inspired reforms in Europe and suggests ways to take these into account when designing policy evaluations as well as policy interventions.

Keywords: industrial policy; technology transfer; policy evaluation; knowledge transfer; university patents; university research; university-industry cooperation; industrial collaboration; Bayh-Dole Act; Europe.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2010.036011

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.11 No.4, pp.263 - 282

Published online: 12 Oct 2010 *

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