How academic researchers select collaborative research projects: a choice experiment
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How academic researchers select collaborative research projects: a choice experiment Frank J. van Rijnsoever1,2 · Laurens K. Hessels3,4 Accepted: 12 November 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Although many studies have been conducted on the drivers of and barriers to research col‑ laborations, current literature provides limited insights into the ways in which individual researchers choose to engage in different collaborative projects. Using a choice experiment, we studied the factors that drive this choice using a representative sample of 3145 research‑ ers from Western Europe and North America who publish in English. We find that for most researchers, the expected publication of research in scientific journals deriving from a project is the most decisive factor driving their collaboration choices. Moreover, most respondents prefer to collaborate with other partners than industry. However, different fac‑ tors’ influence varies across groups of researchers. These groups are characterised as going for the ‘puzzle’ (60% of the sample), the ‘ribbon’ (33%) or the ‘gold’ (8%), i.e., primarily oriented toward intellectual goals, recognition or money, respectively. This heterogeneity shows that a combination of interventions will be required for governments aiming to pro‑ mote university–industry collaborations. Keywords University–industry interaction · Research collaboration · Choice experiment · Academic engagement JEL Classification O31 · O38
* Frank J. van Rijnsoever [email protected] Laurens K. Hessels [email protected] 1
Innovation Studies, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
2
INGENIO (CSIC‑UPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
3
Rathenau Instituut, The Hague, The Netherlands
4
Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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F. J. van Rijnsoever, L. K. Hessels
1 Introduction What makes university researchers decide to collaborate with industry rather than with partners in academia or in the public sector? Despite encouragement from university man‑ agement and public policies (Boardman et al. 2012; Martin 2011; Tseng et al. 2020), a large share of academic researchers remains cautious about engaging with industry (Nature Index 2017). This hesitation is due partly to concerns about research integrity, reproduc‑ ibility, academic freedom (Davis et al. 2011; Jasny et al. 2017; Tartari and Breschi 2012) and possible neglect of more fundamental research (Salter and Martin 2001; Ziman 2002). Furthermore, researchers are subject to the academic competitive selection environment, which is dominated by considerations concerning academic excellence, high-impact jour‑ nal articles and collaborations with reputable academic partners (Blind et al. 2018; Boze‑ man et al. 2013; Sauermann and Roach 2016). Although some evidence indicates that col‑ laboration with industry can promote academic careers (Cañibano et al. 2019; Die
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