Transcript Innovation through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Innovation and Knowledge
Transfer – The Landscape
Prof Robert J. Howlett
Executive Chair, KES International
Director, Institute of Knowledge Transfer
Visiting Professor for Enterprise, Bournemouth University
Contents
1. The Knowledge landscape
2. Knowledge transfer
3. The Institute for Knowledge Transfer
4. The IKT – KES International Alliance
The Knowledge Landscape
Knowledge Transfer
- What is it?
Knowledge Transfer:
Engagement between a HE or FE institute and
business, industry, or the community, to the mutual
benefit of both partners.
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Knowledge transfer should lead to innovation
resulting in improved profitability of a business or
tangible benefits for the community.
Why Knowledge Transfer
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Utilise unused knowledge, skills, expertise
to generate revenue
Further university’s mission to support the
local and national economy and community
Staff development, practical application of
theoretical knowledge
Practical experience feed back into taught
curriculum
Innovation
Innovation through Knowledge Transfer:
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Devising new products or services, or improvements to
existing products or services
Improving manufacturing processes, including cost
reduction and waste elimination
Embedding new organisational concepts such as
continuous improvement or mass customisation
Enhancing business strategies, planning and strategic
marketing
Interacting with customers better through e-commerce,
web and internet systems
Social Innovation
Social Innovation refers to new ideas that
resolve existing social, cultural, economic
and environmental challenges for the
benefit of people and planet.
Knowledge Transfer
- Various Possible Mechanisms
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Publications, conferences, symposia and seminars
Contract research, consultancy, and collaborative
projects
Short courses and training
Spin-out companies
Knowledge transfer by people (e.g. KTP)
IP licensing
Final year projects, sandwich placements
Knowledge Transfer
… What is it?
Students of Enterprise
The rise of … ‘technology transfer’ schemes which support
business startups …
“Under a process known as ‘technology transfer’universities such
as UCL, Imperial College, York and Cranfield are investing in
high-tech start-up companies launched and run by staff and
students.”
Guardian Newspaper Supplement on Post graduate Courses 16 November 2010
Knowledge Transfer
… What is it?
The University (of Sheffield) is determined .. to pursue
cutting edge research .. in a way that translates this
knowledge into .. solutions to real world problems.
Prof Rebecca Hughes, PVC International
Nissan engineers embedded into the
Electrical Machine research group allow
close collaboration on various electric and
hybrid electric vehicle technologies
e.g. permanent magnet brushless motors …
£1.35m TSB funding
Discover, Issue 02, Jan 2013, University of Sheffield
Knowledge Transfer
… What is it?
ISIS Innovation ..
manages technology transfer,
licensing, spin-outs,
academic consultancy, IP
commercialisation for
University of Oxford
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Firms tap-in to University knowledge & skills
 Graduate works in Company for 1-3 yrs
(often 2 yrs)
 University provides expertise / supervision
 Project strategically important to company
 Improve company profitability
 Develop high-flyers for UK industry
 Provides chance for academic to apply
academic knowledge
Government (TSB) part funds the project
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
- the Innovation Cell
Knowledge Base Partner
(University)
Knowledge Client
(Company)
Implement
Academic
Supervision
Team
Technical Expertise,
Problem Solving, Mentoring,
Access to University
Resources
Knowledge
Associate
Knowledge
Exchange
Input to Research
and Curriculum
Commercial Constraints, Market
Knowledge, Domain Experience
New Knowledge
Generation
Knowledge
Embedding
Project
Management
KTP Advisor
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
… Benefits but Decline?
On average, for every £1m
of government money
invested in 2012-13:
– 32 new jobs were created
– 269 company staff were
trained
– £840k was invested by
companies
in plant and machinery
– businesses predicted a postproject
increase in annual pre-tax
profit of £3.46m.
Year
No of KTP
Progs
2010
1200
2011
1083
2012
845
2013
684
KTP Achievements and Outcomes, 2011-12, 2012-13,
Technology Strategy Board
Champions of Knowledge Transfer,
Innovation and Enterprise
The professional body for the Knowledge Professional
Formed 2008 with HEFCE support and funding
…. Those working in innovation.. social innovation…
knowledge
Individual transfer,
professional
standards
sharing
and exchange…
entrepreneurship
Supporting career
development
and
enterprise
 Good practice and enhancement of the
profession
 Networking, communication and publication
Individual Membership
 Fellow (FInstKT)
 Full Member (MInstKT)
 Associate Member (AMInstKT)
 Affiliate
Institutional Membership
 University/College/Company IKT member
 10 named staff become IKT Affiliates
KES - IKT Knowledge Alliance
KES International works in partnership with
the IKT, providing
- Infrastructure and services
- Collaborative events and activities
KES International
Mission - Dissemination, transfer, sharing and brokerage of knowledge.
Networking and publication opportunities for all those who work in
knowledge-intensive subjects.
KES Professional community - experts, scientists, academics, engineers
students and practitioners who participate in KES activities.
KES brings key players together to make ...
Knowledge Connections.
International Conference Portfolio
Intelligent Systems -- Intelligent Decision Technologies -- Intelligent
Interactive Multimedia Systems and Services -- Agent and Multi
Agent Systems -- Smart Technology based Education and Training
Sustainable Technology -- Sustainability in Energy and Buildings,
Smart Energy -- Sustainable Design and Manufacturing.
Innovation, Knowledge Transfer, Enterprise -- Innovation and
Knowledge Transfer -- Innovation in Medicine and Healthcare
Digital Media -- Archiving Tomorrow -- Innovation in Music
Australia, Chile, Croatia, England, Germany, Japan, Ireland, Italy, Poland,
Portugal, New Zealand, United States, Vietnam, Wales
KES Publications
Journals
-- Int. Journal of Knowledge Based and Intelligent Engineering Systems
-- Intelligent Decision Technologies: an International Journal
-- InImpact: the Journal of Innovation Impact
-- Sustainability in Energy and Buildings: Research Advances
-- Advances in Smart Systems Research
KES Transactions & Open Access Library
-- Book series in print and online
-- Conference proceedings, edited volumes, research
monographs
InnovationKT 2014
6th International Conference on Innovation through
Knowledge Transfer
2, 3 and 4 April 2014, Greenwich, UK
http://inkt14.innovationkt.org