edu-Impact | college & university economic impact portal

This 2006 Milken Institute report examines the effectiveness of U.S research universities in dominating global biotechnology research and, further, the ability to turn this research into commercial applications.

"Two opposing forces reshaped knowledge networks in 'rust belt' communities over the course of the 1980s and 1990s. On the one hand, large industrial companies which for generations had stood at these places' economic, social and intellectual cores attempted to reinvigorate their own innovation processes by reaching out beyond the parochial boundaries of locales in which they resided to tap into what was seen as a richer set of conversations taking place in Europe, Asia and in the coastal regions of the U.S."

This report shows how universities can support local economic development through their contributions to local industrial innovation processes.

Using case studies from 12 U.S. research universities, this report documents how they establish industry research partnerships, effectively transfer technology to businesses and entrepreneurs, provide technical assistance, and develop human capital.

This paper reviews studies that examine the extent to which university research promotes local economic development. These impacts include: attracting industrial laboratories, the start-up of technology businesses, and opportunities for collaborative research that can help enhance industrial products.