From ivory tower to factory floor? How universities are changing to meet the needs of industry

While policy recognises the need to facilitate university-industry technology transfer (UITT), international studies indicate that the setup and effectiveness of the associated instruments is highly context-specific. We examine the reorientation of Irish universities in the direction of facilitating UITT, with a substantive focus on the role of Ireland's technology transfer offices. This paper also questions how academic research is changing in line with policy rhetoric. We find that Irish university research and the management of its output are changing in a manner that is not incompatible with UITT, although with significant resource and skills constraints. These findings hold important lessons for national economic and innovation systems of comparable size, with a development trajectory shaped by foreign direct investment

Review: Contribution of transgenic models to understanding human prion disease

J. D. F. Wadsworth, E. A. Asante and J. Collinge (2010) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology36, 576–597Contribution of transgenic models to understanding human prion diseas

A Framework for a Strategic Repositioning Strategy: A Case Study of Bulmers Original Cider

Repositioning is conscious adaptation to a changing environment, representing a fundamental shift in the firm's value proposition (Turner, 2003). Repositioning as a pure play is largely neglected in the strategy literature, while empirical studies are rare. This paper explores the concept and process of strategic repositioning, based on the case of Bulmers cider in Ireland. A framework for successful repositioning is proposed, with six elements: core strategic values, strategic flexibility/learning capabilities, customer awareness and sensitivity, external orientation, management commitment, and belief in the product and brand. The Bulmers case affirms the ontological status of repositioning as a viable strategy. The case also indicates that repositioning is a feasible means of strategic change, which is transformational with limited scale, and is largely intellectual and enacted with strategic learning. This paper affirms the external/internal duality and need for an evolutionary, repositioning process of Turner (2003). It also extends Turner's study due to the successful and more persuasive context of the Bulmers study, and by providing a tentative template for successful repositioning.peer-reviewe

Ireland's National Innovation System: An Exploratory Study of Supporting Institutions and Dynamic Actors

This paper begins with a brief look at the literature on national innovation systems (NIS). Building on the NIS approach, we present a simple conceptual framework. National innovative competence is dependent on the presence of dynamic STI actors, operating within the confines of compatible institutions. We distinguish the roles played by different STI actors and argue that heterogeneous actors engage in innovation for different reasons. Collaborative innovation is not always a natural consequence of engagement in innovation but is characterised by a distinct set of considerations. The latter part of the paper is concerned with the application of this conceptual framework to the case of Ireland. We identify the institutions pertaining to Ireland's current innovative performance. An outline of STI actors according to their role in the system is then presented. In turn we outline the various contributions of Irish STI actors and explore their motives for engaging in innovation and collaborative innovation.institutions, innovation actors, national innovation system, Ireland, science and technology policy, incentives,

A Framework for a Strategic Repositioning Strategy: A Case Study of Bulmers Original Cider

Repositioning is conscious adaptation to a changing environment, representing a fundamental shift in the firm\u27s value proposition (Turner, 2003). Repositioning as a pure play is largely neglected in the strategy literature, while empirical studies are rare. This paper explores the concept and process of strategic repositioning, based on the case of Bulmers cider in Ireland. A framework for successful repositioning is proposed, with six elements: core strategic values, strategic flexibility/learning capabilities, customer awareness and sensitivity, external orientation, management commitment, and belief in the product and brand. The Bulmers case affirms the ontological status of repositioning as a viable strategy. The case also indicates that repositioning is a feasible means of strategic change, which is transformational with limited scale, and is largely intellectual and enacted with strategic learning. This paper affirms the external/internal duality and need for an evolutionary, repositioning process of Turner (2003). It also extends Turner\u27s study due to the successful and more persuasive context of the Bulmers study, and by providing a tentative template for successful repositioning

University Technology Transfer offices : the search for identity to build legimacy

International audienceTechnology transfer offices (TTOs) are of strategic importance to universities committed to the commercialization of academic knowledge. Within the university, TTOs' relationship with academics and management is single agent-multiple principal. When two principals exist in an agency relationship, conflicting expectations can naturally arise. We explore how TTOs build legitimacy by shaping identity with university academics and management. In undertaking this research we draw on 63 interviews with TTO executives across 22 universities in the Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. We find that TTOs use identity-conformance and identity-manipulation to shape a dual identity, one scientific and the other business, with academics and management respectively. We show how this combination of identity strategies is ineffective for legitimizing the TTO. We propose that TTOs' identity shaping strategies are incomplete and need to incorporate a wholly distinctive identity to complement and reinforce preliminary legitimacy claims made through conformance and manipulation. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for scholars, TTO executives and university management

Safety and effectiveness of negative pressure therapy on free flaps following lower limb reconstruction: a systematic review

We have recently investigated the safety and effectiveness of extrinsic compression on lower limb free flaps 1 and in this literature review explored the use of negative pressure therapy (NPT) on lower limb free tissue transfers

Safety and effectiveness of early compression of free flaps following lower limb reconstruction: A systematic review

Introduction Early postoperative compression of free flaps for lower limb reconstruction remains controversial. It may reduce venous congestion and promote the resolution of oedema. However, concerns remain regarding inadvertent pedicle compression, which may lead to flap failure. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the safety and effectiveness of this intervention. Methods A systematic review was designed in compliance with PRISMA. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Parallel screening, selection of eligible studies, and data gathering were carried out by two independent authors. A formal risk of bias assessment was included along with the appraisal of outcomes. Results A total of 847 abstracts were retrieved and 262 free flaps for lower limb reconstruction were identified in ten eligible articles. The overall flap failure rate for patients who underwent early postoperative compression was 1.6%. Apart from flap failure rates, there were no other outcomes consistently reported and none of the studies included a no-compression group for comparison. Discussion All included studies had methodological flaws, resulting in a high risk of bias. Nevertheless, there was consistent reporting of flap failure as a postoperative outcome. Compression of free flaps in the context of lower limb reconstruction does not appear to be associated with a higher flap failure rate compared with other series. Compression bandages may reduce the pain associated with dangling regimes. However, there is no evidence to support that free flap compression in the context of lower limb reconstruction is associated with any other clinical benefit.</p

Safety and effectiveness of negative pressure therapy on free flaps following lower limb reconstruction: a systematic review

We have recently investigated the safety and effectiveness of extrinsic compression on lower limb free flaps 1 and in this literature review explored the use of negative pressure therapy (NPT) on lower limb free tissue transfers