Date

2011

Author

Beyhan Bozkırlıoğlu, Berna

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The main purpose of this study is to explore individual and organizational level factors which influence the formation of knowledge and technology transfer links between universities and firms. To this end, three sets of data are collected and analyzed. The first one includes bibliometric data of nanotechnology publications, which are authored by scientists affiliated with Turkish universities. The second one is collected through a questionnaire survey from university-scientists dealing with nanoscale research. The third one is from firms doing nanotechnology R&D through in-depth interviews with high level managers. The analysis of bibliometric data provides an insight to the main actors and characteristics of the nanoscale research in Turkey. This data is also used to identify the population of nano-scientists at Turkish universities. From May 2010 to May 2011, 181 questionnaires were collected from targeted nano-scientists; and 21 firms were interviewed. The collected data was used to investigate the impact of individual and organizational level factors on the proclivity of nanoscientists to engage in knowledge and technology transfer to industry by estimating binary probit models. The results suggest that nano-scientists with relations to industry are those who (i) have high number of patents/patent applications; (ii) do more applied research; (iii) have access to public funds (iv) are well connected to Turkish NST academia; (v) are working in universities which are not the most active ones in nanoscale research; but have nano-equipped laboratories; and support nano-scientists in their relations with industry; and finally (vi) are motivated by commercialization of their research outcomes. On the other hand, qualitative analysis of our data collected through in-depth interviews conducted with firms suggests that social capital and human capital of firms’ nanotechnology professionals play the key role in knowledge and technology transfer from universities. However, absorptive capacity and business culture are the most important firm level factors which influence university-industry relations. Finally, in the last section of this thesis we discuss some managerial and science, technology and innovation policy implications of the research.

Subject Keywords

Nanotechnology, Nanoscience

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613842/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/21227

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis