ARC Linkage Projects ARC Linkage Projects- A way to develop knowledge between universities and industries By:Diana Maldonado Supervised by: Sandra Jones Robert Brooks

1. Background

Knowledge Management Identify Organice & focus Build Apply Exploit Value Wiig,1994

Environment and Industry Practical knowledge Needs Problems Skills and competences University- Industry Relationship Learning from the industry

Difference in the way knowledge is produced (Jacob, Merle 2000 based in Gibbons et al (1994)) Mode 1  Problems set and solved in a context (academic)  Disciplinary based  Homogeneity  Quality control rigorous  Individual creativity Mode 2  Knowledge produced in context of application  Transdisciplinarity  Heterogeneity and organizational diversity  Social Accountability and reflexibility  Multidimensional criteria for evaluation

Factors of knowledge transfer in Alliances Form Trust Culture Intent Transparency Learning Capacity Effective Knowledge transfer Nicolas Rolland and Daniele Chauvel (2000)

Context

Discovery IRD Discovery Discovery Projects ARC National Competitive Grants Linkage Linkage Projects Linkage- International Linkage-Infrastructure Linkage-Learned Academies Special Projects Linkage-Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO)

Phase 1 H ow are ARC linkage projects promoting collaboration between industries and universities? Description of the ARC linkage Scheme

 Data collection: ARC web site, web sites of universities, DEST web site and a Melbourne Institute database.  Data measurement: –inductive statistical methods. descriptive statistics binary dependent variable regression models.  Type of investigation: Quantitative.  Time Horizon: ARC linkage projects grants commencing in 2001 and Methodology

The amount of funding allocated by the ARC for the Linkage Projects increased and the success rate was higher, even if the number of projects funded showed a slight decrease from 2001 to 2002.

The divisions that have higher support are areas with a commercial orientation like Engineering and Technology; Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Sciences; Biological Sciences; and Information, Communication and Computer Sciences.

A small number of institutions dominate the research activities supported by the ARC linkage projects. Sandstones, Redbricks and Gumtrees, while the newer universities like Unitechs and New Universities had less support.

A large portion of these projects include APAIs supporting research training for the postgraduate students, however few projects include APDIs

There has been an increase in the number of industry partners over the last three years and the sectors with higher participation are government and defence, and manufacturing

The industry contribution also increased over the last two years, however a great percentage is in kind

The proportion of industry partners contributing both years is relatively low. Among them, a small number of industries dominating the list of partners and many of them have been partners since 1997

The research oriented organizations with higher revenue and research funding are more likely to participate in ARC Linkage projects. However, the production of intellectual capital defined by number of designs, number of trademarks and number of patterns are not significant when it comes to predict the collaboration in these projects. Research and development performers classified (according to the ANZIC) in the subdivisions of More likely Less Likely Forestry and Logging Machinery and Motor Vehicle Wholesailing Water Supply Personal and Household Good Retailing Sewerage and Drainage Services Personal and Household Good Wholesaling Community Services and Libraries Museums and the Arts..

RMIT VISION - Our research and development function will further develop its focus on solving problems and providing sources of innovation for our community, industry and enterprise partners, reflecting national and international imperatives

Phase 2  Research Question: How can the knowledge developed between universities and industries through ARC linkage projects be identified, valuated and applied in an effective and equitable form? The more specific questions are:  What value is generated through the linkage projects for organizations?  Why and how are organizations collaborating in these projects?  How are organizations assimilating the knowledge produced, so that the knowledge is absorbed in the organizations?  What are the key elements involved in the knowledge transfer process? And how they relate?  How can the knowledge transfer process in these projects improved to facilitate knowledge development?

 Data collection: Interviews Questionnaire  Data measurement: Identifying factors of relevance, method of comparison and agreement and using statistics.  Type of investigation: Case Study- RMIT university.  Time Horizon: ARC linkage projects grants commencing in 2001 and Methodology