Evaluating the Methods in American Universities for the Commercial Application of Research Outcome: Toward the Development of University-Industry Innovation Systems in Japan

ABSTRACT

In Japan, efforts are being made to promote commercialization of research results from universities. In European and North American countries, universities are playing a major part in gaining the competitive advantage of the nations. In Japan, on the other hand, universities are not fully performing their functions. This paper examines Japanese industry-university cooperation systems from institutional and structural viewpoints by comparing them with their American and German counterparts and proposes a mechanism for promoting commercialization of research results from universities.

In the United States, cooperation between industrial and academic circles is being promoted with research cooperation, licensing and establishment of venture businesses. Effective systems for leading academic knowledge to practical applications are in place and universities have liaison offices for businesses, which act as an intermediary between teachers and businesses. In Germany, although there are not a sufficient number of systematic support systems, research cooperation with industry and establishment of venture businesses are being promoted.

In Japan, although measures are being taken to support establishment of industry-university cooperation, there are still many issues to be addressed. As exemplified by the fact that the right to the results of research cooperation with businesses is shared by the country and the businesses, an environment that encourages businesses to make the most of research results from universities to invest their funds and human resources has not been established. Moreover, a system for establishment of venture businesses originating from universities has not been in place.

Now, it is required that an environment that brings innovations through cooperation between industrial and academic circles should be established. Examples include not only measures for putting large amounts of research funds into universities but also a change of policy for managing the results of research cooperation with businesses and improvement of regional joint research centers. In addition, it is necessary to establish a system that enables universities to quickly meet the requests of society by making the management system of universities efficient.