The governance of publicly funded university research projects

Previous studies have identified a range of economic and social benefits that can arise from publicly funded research {Roper et al., 2004; Salter and Martin, 2001}. These include the benefits arising from the traditional academic missions of educating students and generating new knowledge through research, as well as the benefits arising from university industry links and innovation (Mansfield, 1991; 1998; Roper et aI., 2004; Salter and Martin, 2001). However, to date few studies have focused on the influence that governance can have on publicly funded university research projects and the benefits that arise from them. This thesis therefore develops a framework which links the governance literature with the literature on the benefits from publicly funded university research. The framework considers the influence of governance on a range of traditional academic, technology exploration, and technology exploitation project goals and objectives and their achievement. The framework also considers the influence that governance can have on the extent and importance of industry involvement in publicly funded university research projects. The framework is examined through a large scale survey of projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The results highlight the importance of rewards, the project discipline, and the importance attached by principal investigators to different professional activities, in influencing the project goals and objectives. The project focus is found to be the most important predictor of the achievement of the range of project goals and objectives. Industry involvement [s influenced by the project goals and objectives, and the importance that the principal investigator attaches to third stream activities. Not only do these findings contribute to the theoretical literature, but they also have practical implications for the governance of research projects by funding bodies, Principal Investigators, and universities.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo