Publisher's Synopsis
The book explores commercial exploitation of university research through new company formation. It compares and contrast the practical experiences and opinions of universities and academic entrepreneurs ? as elicited during face to face interviews with those engaged in spin-off companies - with the findings of published research in the field. The organisation and requirements for success in technology-based-spin-out firms are examined in detail and their performance is compared with similar non-university firms. The book aims: - - ? to assess the extent to which the critical factors identified from the literature as influencing the formation, organisation and operation of university based companies are relevant to current practice - ? to test the hypothesis that university linked start up firms share many of the characteristics of new technology based firms but that there are also some other unique differences - ? to compare the characteristics of university spin-outs and non-university technology based companies. - - The book is set within the context of university/industry collaboration, the departure point is the influence of technology transfer on national and regional economic development.
