How industry projects can stimulate academic engagement: an experimental study among U.S. engineering professors. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clauss, Thomas; Spieth, Patrick; Klusmann, Christian; Issah, Wunnam Basit; Kesting, Tobias
• Is Part Of: Industry and innovation. Volume 29:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: University-industry interactions -- extrinsic motivation -- intrinsic motivation -- academic engagement -- self-determination theory; Industries -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Periodicals; Industrial policy -- Periodicals; 338.005
• DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2021.1976626
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-2716

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Technology transfer remains one of the key functions of universities, seen with the growing importance attached to interactions between them and industry partners. Relying on self-determination theory (SDT), we develop a framework comprising the core motivational factors inherent in the design of industry projects and individual determinants which influence a professor's willingness to engage in industry interaction activities. Based on a conjoint experiment among 250 U.S. professors in engineering sciences, our findings suggest that motivational incentives shape a professor's disposition towards industry interaction. We additionally provide further insight into how intrinsic motivational structures towards industry engagement are moderated by individual characteristics, including the short-term orientation of professors towards industry activities. Our results contribute to research on university-industry interactions by developing deeper insights into the motivational structures of individual researchers. We also provide practical insights for university administrators and industry managers.