Knowledge and Technology Transfer, Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Past and Present, 2007-2010

The focus of this project is knowledge transfer as a key driver of innovation - an essential component in the promotion of UK Government policy linked to greater economic wealth creation which lies at the heart of UK competitiveness in the global economy. The research is positioned within growing academic networks and policy debates at regional, national and international scales around the nature of knowledge-based economies and the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within.  Underpinning knowledge exchange processes are the relationships which exist between university-business/business-university and how these occur at the regional level to form the stimulus in creating more innovative systems of governance to offer unique competitive advantage capability within regional business in the global economy. This collaborative research is funded through the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) targeted AIM (Advanced Institute of Management) Initiative in Innovation.

Professor Mary Rose, Principal Investigator, University of Lancaster
Dr Frank Cave, PhD Supervisor, University of Lancaster
Dr Moira Decter, PhD Researcher, University of Lancaster
Dr Sarah Jack, Co-Investigator, University of Lancaster
Dr Lorraine Johnston, Research Fellow, University of Lancaster
Dr Nigel Lockett, Co-Investigator, Brunel University
Dr Sarah Robinson, Co-Investigator, Open University

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EPSRC commissioned Knowledge Transfer Study, 2006-2007

The project focuses specifically on commercialisation through working with industry directly, migration of researchers, new ventures, incubation and others. The study involved interviewing over 50 stakeholders in order to identify existing and emerging knowledge transfer activities and to build a framework for comparison. This project has resulted in two publications.

Dr Nigel Lockett, Principal Investigator, Brunel University

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An Investigation of the Process of ICT Innovation and Technology Transfer: a Small Firm Perspective, 2005-2006

This research focused on increasing the understanding of the process of innovation and technology transfer in information and communication technology (ICT) based small firms. In particular it exploited an emerging opportunity at Lancaster University, namely the small ICT-based firms entering the Knowledge Business Centre (KBC) in InfoLab21. It is a deliberate attempt to encourage and foster the transfer of knowledge from 260+ academic/research staff in the departments of Computing and Communication Systems in the InfoLab21.

Dr Nigel Lockett Principal Investigator, Brunel University

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Lancaster Centre for E-Management and E-Science, 2006-08

The Lancaster Centre for e-Management and e-Science will accelerate the understanding of e-Management through multidisciplinary research activities. E-Science promises to open the door to new business models that will improve the effectiveness and competitiveness of UK PLC. Business urgently needs the new tools, skills and the perspective to forge the business strategies and collaborations needed to meet the demands of ever changing global markets. This is a joint proposal between staff of Lancaster's Management School (LUMS), Centre of e-Science and Computing Department.

Professor Robert Crouchley, Principal Investigator, University of Lancaster
Professor Gordon Blair, Co-Investigator, University of Lancaster
Professor David Brown, Co-Investigator, University of Lancaster
Professor Geoff Coulson, Co-Investigator, University of Lancaster
Professor David Hutchison, Co-Investigator, University of Lancaster
Dr Nigel Lockett, Co-Investigator, Brunel University