This research project examines the relationships of independent research institutes to their contexts of application. The focus is on »spin-offs« in which the results of research and development are used and further developed by private economic enterprises. Spin-offs should be thought of as a symptom for change in the German system of science. From an institutional perspective, the trend toward spin-offs reflects the attempts of institutes to demonstrate the social relevance of their research. From a cognitive perspective, they reveal new forms of knowledge production: the differentiation between theoretically-oriented basic research and application-oriented research practice appears to lose significance when compared with this new form of knowledge production in which theory and practice are integrated in recursive loops.

Using microsociological methods and approaches from organizational sociology and from the sociology of knowledge, the extent, significance, as well as the chances and risks of this new type of research (with its permanent »cross-over« processes) are analyzed in a historical and in an international context. Possible effects on the quality of scientific knowledge production are evaluated and consequences drawn regarding science policy. Finally, the change in quality standards connected with spin-offs is investigated along with the question regarding new kinds of instruments needed by funding institutions for the evaluation of the quality of research produced in the spin-off context. Focus is on the spin-offs of the four groups of research organizations in Germany : the Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Association of German Research Centers (HFG), the Leibniz-Association (WGL), the Fraunhofer-Society (FhG) and the Max-Planck-Society (MPG).

Change in the system of science involves not only institutional changes but also changes in ways in which knowledge is produced. The traditional differentiation between basic research and application-oriented research has become questionable because science has become deeply embedded in social contexts not only through its practical application but also through the process of gaining knowledge. It has also become clear that the transformation of the system of science requires modified as well as new criteria of evaluation. These claims of the sociology of knowledge are examined using the empirical example of spin-offs.

The sociology of knowledge perspective is supplemented with approaches from organizational sociology, sociology of work and history. This combination of approaches makes it possible to examine organizational aspects of spin-offs and relationships to their »mother institutes« as well as to their markets and customers. The study examines the demands which emerge for scientists in the respective constellations. A historical approach is important for this project in order to establish to what degree current spin-offs are a qualitatively new phenomenon or whether they are simply a renaming of traditional research practices.

Eight spin-offs representing various research fields in the natural sciences, engineering and in the social sciences, are investigated in this project. The case studies include the analysis of documents, thematically structured interviews as well as the historical reconstruction of archive materials and other sources.

To assess the uniqueness of the German conditions these will be compared with international contexts. The comparison takes place on two levels: with the research policy of the European Union and with selected comparisons with other countries (USA, Great Britain, France, Switzerland).

The project includes the following research topics:

•  Morphology of spin-offs : This includes motives behind spin-offs, the development of and different characteristics of transfer arrangements, organizational and personnel aspects, as well as disciplinary differences and, lastly, the position such spin-offs take in the scientific landscape.

•  Forms of the production of knowledge in spin-offs; discussion of new criteria for the evaluation of spin-offs: Specific forms of the production of knowledge in a practical context are investigated in this section. This includes the transfer of knowledge between spin-offs and their »mother institutions« as well as their significance for their professional self-image and for career perspectives of the involved scientists. In addition, the influence of the spin-offs on their particular disciplines is taken into account. Of special interest is the change in quality standards used in the evaluation of spin-offs as well as the strategies used for the evaluation of the production of knowledge in the particular spin-off.

•  Demand for scientific expertise: An analysis of the relationships of spin-offs to customers provides information regarding changes in the market demand for scientific expertise in an economic context. The project also inquires into the experiences the spin-offs have had in adapting to changed market demands as well as into the strategies they use in developing new markets.

• Research policy and the system of science : The view research policy takes of spin-offs, particular instruments for their advancement and the evaluation of spin-offs is examined. In this part of the project the chances and options for a market-oriented production of knowledge are evaluated, especially the risks of privatizing public goods. The chances for spin-offs in the social sciences are of special interest.

 

Duration: 15.03.2004 – 31.08.2007

 

Further reading

- Knie, Andreas (2005): »Die verkürzte Wertschöpfungskette des Wissens: Mutmaßungen über den Bedeutungsverlust der Soziologie.« In: Sozialwissenschaften und Berufspraxis, Jg. 28 / H. 2, S. 203-213.

- Knie, Andreas / Simon, Dagmar (2005): »Organisation der Wissenschaften: Projektgruppe ›Wissenschaftspolitik‹ am WZB.« In: Sozialwissenschaften und Berufspraxis, Jg. 28 / H. 2, S. 231-233.

- Knie, Andreas / Simon, Dagmar (2006): »Forschung im Cross-Over Modus: Wissenschaftliche Ausgründungen in neuen Arrangements der Wissensproduktion.« In: WZB discussion paper, H. 101.

- Konrad, Kornelia / Truffer, Bernhard (2006): »The Coupling of Spin-offs and Research Institutions in the Triangle of Policy, Science and Industry – An International Comparison.« In: WZB discussion paper, H. 103.

- Lengwiler, Martin (2005): »Im Schatten Humboldts: Angewandte Forschung im Wissenschaftssystem Westdeutschlands (1945 – 1975).« In: Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Geschichte, Jg. 55, S. 46-59.

- Lengwiler Martin / Simon, Dagmar (2005): »New Governance Arrangements in Science Policy.« In: WZB discussion paper, H. 101, S. 104.

- Potthast, Jörg / Lengwiler, Martin (2005): »Arrangements der Wissensproduktion. Akademische Ausgründungen zwischen Forschung und Markt.« In: Sozialwissenschaften und Berufspraxis, Jg. 28 / H. 2, S. 214-230.