Spatial localization of knowledge-transfer channels and face-to-face contacts: A survey of the Jena university-industry linkages

In this paper we examine the knowledge-Transfer Channels of the universities and public research institutes in Jena. The empirical study is based on a survey of 297 personal interviews with researchers of both types of organisations. Our study focuses on three questions: (a) The importance and multitude of existing transfer channels, (b) their geographic distribution and (c) the importance of face-to-face contacts. With regard to the first question the analysis reveals some shortcomings of the usual channels considered in many empirical studies. Above all, informal transfer channels play an important role and in addition the multitude of transfer channels at hand turns out to be large. These outcomes suggest a very cautious interpretation of the claimed influences of transfer mechanisms like patents, joint publications and so on. As to the regional distribution of the linkages our results confirm the relevance of geographical proximity. A substantial part of the relevant transfer co-operations concentrate on the city and region. Finally, we examine the idea that 'distance matters' is due to the necessity of face-to-face contacts. By means of asking the researchers directly we found the puzzling result, that knowledge-transfer rests significantly upon personal contacts, but that this does not imply a bias towards geographical proximity. --

Labor Pooling in R&D Intensive Industries

We investigate firms’ incentives to locate in the same region to gain access to a large pool of skilled labor. Firms engage in risky R&D activities and thus create stochastic product and implied labor demand. Agglomeration in a cluster is more likely in situations where the innovation step is large and the probability for a firm to be the only innovator is high. When firms cluster, they tend to invest more and take more risk in R&D compared to spatially dispersed firms. Agglomeration is welfare maximizing, because expected labor productivity is higher and firms choose a more effcient, technically diversified portfolio of R&D projects at the industry level.

Labor Pooling in R&D Intensive Industries

We investigate firms’ incentives to locate in the same region to gain access to a large pool of skilled labor. Firms engage in risky R&D activities and thus create stochastic product and implied labor demand. Agglomeration in a cluster is more likely in situations where the innovation step is large and the probability for a firm to be the only innovator is high. When firms cluster, they tend to invest more and take more risk in R&D compared to spatially dispersed firms. Agglomeration is welfare maximizing, because expected labor productivity is higher and firms choose a more efficient, technically diversified portfolio of R&D projects at the industry level.

Forms and regional distribution of knowledge transfer by German universities

For the first time the transfer activities of two different German university types - the Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) and the University of Applied Sciences Jena (FH Jena) - were documented in parallel over all departments and channels of technology transfers with regard to their regional significance. Five groups of transfer activities are distinguished in the study: (1) those oriented on human capital, (2) those oriented on classic research and development, (3) those oriented on enterprises, (4) those oriented on direct transfers and (5) informal knowledge transfer channels. The results show that the traditional R&D-activities of the universities for the region are embedded into important supplemental transfer channels. In addition the radii of the external relations of the two universities are complementary: FH Jena has a stronger regional bearing, while FSU is more strongly active supra-regionally and internationally. It is possible that stronger support of the university faculty's activities establishing knowledge transfer could increase the regional economic impact of such activity. --innovation systems,technology transfer,regional development,Universities,know-how-transfer

New microfabrication method for prototyping integrated microfluidic modules with SR-3000 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2012This thesis presents the first work on the fabrication of microfluidic modules with SR-3000 Rayzist photoresist paper and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Chapter 1 of the thesis is on the analysis of elemental composition of SR-3000. By using the X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer we found the SR-3000 sheet is enriched with silicon, the key element for forming covalent bonding to PDMS. Chapters 2, 3,and 4 of the thesis is focused on the characterization of both the hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated SR-3000 surface and the bonding strength between SR-3000 and PDMS. Unfiltered air was used as the process gas for plasma-assisted bonding of SR-3000 to PDMS. Pressure rupture tests were conducted to measure the strength at the bonding interface, which can be as high as 57.7 psi, strong enough to hold the fluid pressure for typical microfluidics applications. The hydrophilicity of SR-3000 is mainly governed by the plasma treatment time. Chapter 5 demonstrates how to use the developed microfabrication method to prototype microfluidic modules for typical microfluidic applications, which include manipulation of laminar flow, mixing of miscible fluids, and production of oil droplets in a stream of water flow

Lex Orandi, Lex Legendi: A Correlation of the Roman Canon and the Fourfold Sense of Scripture

While the correlation between the liturgy and the Bible was vital in the patristic-medieval period, a dichotomy grew up between them in modern times. Starting with the assumption that a fuller retrieval of the correlation today requires forms of engaging texts which are not exclusively linear or historico-critical, the dissertation argues that the dichotomy between liturgy and Bible is overcome within a correlation of the Eucharist and spiritual exegesis that retrieves a typological reading of Scripture and that attends to the liturgical relationships memorial, presence, and anticipation. The structure of reading the Bible parallels the structure of praying within the liturgy. In order to make a theological correlation between Eucharist and spiritual exegesis, the study first seeks to establish the supra-linear nature of each. In regard to the Eucharist, this study presents an analysis of the text of the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I in the current Roman Missal), demonstrating that it has the structure of a chiasmus, requiring a helical reading. This anaphora\u27s chiasmus and its rhetorical helix convey a rich eucharistic theology of exchange and communion. With respect to spiritual exegesis, this study establishes a supra-linear approach to Scripture by developing insights of Henri de Lubac into the reciprocal interiority of the four senses of Scripture. An analysis of the fourfold sense reveals that spiritual exegesis is governed by the two ways figure and fulfillment are perichoretically related; this mutual indwelling is displayed in the figural trading of idioms. The final part of the study brings together eucharistic exchange and communion exemplified by the Roman Canon, on the one hand, and the communal immanence and exchange of idioms exhibited by the two cycles of spiritual exegesis in the fourfold sense of Scripture, on the other hand. It concludes that the admirabile commercium et connubium between head, body, and members in the earthly and heavenly dimensions of the totus Christus lies at the heart of the theological correlation between Eucharist and spiritual exegesis

UNDERSTANDING THE ANATOMY OF DATA-DRIVEN BUSINESS MODELS – TOWARDS AN EMPIRICAL TAXONOMY

As a consequence of the increasing digitization, massive amounts of data are created every day. While scholars and practitioners suggest that organizations can use this data to develop new data-driven business models, many organizations struggle to systematically develop such models. A fundamental challenge in this regard is presented by the limited research on data-driven business models. Accordingly, the goal of this research is to better understand data-driven business models by identifying key dimensions that can be used to distinguish them and to develop a taxonomy. As our taxonomy aims to guide future studies in a way that ultimately serves organizations, it is based on dimensions regarded to be most relevant from the practitioners’ perspective. To develop this taxonomy, we utilize an established empirical approach based on a combination of multidimensional scaling (MDS), property fitting (ProFit), and qualitative data. Our results reveal that the most important dimensions distinguish data-driven business models based on the data source utilized, the target audience, and the technological effort required. Based on these dimensions, our taxonomy distinguishes eight ideal-typical categories of data-driven business models. By providing an increased understanding regarding the topic, our results form the foundation for subsequent investigations in this new field of research

Ordered and linked chordal graphs

A graph G is called k-ordered if for every sequence of k distinct vertices there is a cycle traversing these vertices in the given order. In the present paper we consider two novel generalizations of this concept, k-vertex-edge-ordered and strongly k-vertex-edge-ordered. We prove the following results for a chordal graph G: (a) G is (2k-3)-connected if and only if it is k-vertex-edge-ordered (k ≥ 3). (b) G is (2k-1)-connected if and only if it is strongly k-vertex-edge-ordered (k ≥ 2). (c) G is k-linked if and only if it is (2k-1)-connected