University Researchers′ Views of Private Industry

Abstract

Investigates the views of university researchers towards their industrial sponsors. Faculty at five American universities completed a mailed questionnaire in which they were asked about their perceptions of the rewards and costs associated with collaboration with commercial organizations. Suggests that researchers who are highly dependent on private industry support tend to indicate, on the average, more rewards and fewer costs associated with that source than do their colleagues who do not receive such support. Discusses implications of the findings from the points of view of the university administrators, the academic researchers, and the funding sources.