Capitalism and the Ivory Tower: The Gordian Knot Between Money and Science

Abstract

Transferring knowledge and technology from academia to industry requires bridging the natural gap between the two sectors: industry, which is fueled by profit to the shareholders; and academia, whose currency is knowledge. The technology transfer process is an essential component of contemporary academic life in most modern countries. However, despite the common argument, it is not necessarily a win-win process. In this paper we shall detail who wins and who loses in this process. In particular, we will study the role of governments, which, on the one hand, finance research and are the only source for supporting basic science, and, on the other hand, dictate and impose policy We will specify some guidelines for responsible technology transfer policy, which contributes to reconciliation of money and science.