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Title:
Knowledge Production and Collaboration in the Life Sciences: Interviews with Scientists in Industry, Universities and the National Health Service, 2005-2006

Subject Categories:
Industrial/commercial location - Industry and management
Science and technology

Depositor(s):
King, Z., University of Reading. Business School

Principal Investigator(s):
King, Z., University of Reading. Business School

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council
South East of England Development Agency

Grant Number:
RES-000-22-0867

Abstract:
This is a qualitative dataset.

This study examined the human behaviour underpinning collaboration in the life sciences. It focused on collaboration between universities and industries; and regional collaboration. It sought to explain the incidence of knowledge production in terms of individual career factors and how organisational factors interact with the individual to determine innovation outcomes.

Interviews were conducted with scientists in universities, industry (large and small firms and entrepreneurial ventures), and the National Health Service. Many of the academic and clinical scientists were leaders their field in areas relevant to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and agrochemical industries and/or with clinical applications.

Interviews focused on career background, scientific specialism, important collaborators, and particularly the role and relative contribution of the production of knowledge as evidence in patent applications. Questions also focused on interviewees' views of institutional frameworks within which collaborations unfold and on policy initiatives to promote collaboration, particularly localised collaboration.

Further information about the study can be found at the project's website or ESRC funding webpage.
Main Topics:
Collaboration, commercial, human resources,knowledge sharing, life sciences, policy, scientists, self-efficacy, technology, universities.

Coverage:
Time Period Covered: April 2005-March 2006
Dates of Fieldwork: February 2005-June 2006
Country: Great Britain
Geography: Bradford; Brighton; Cambridge; Dundee; Glasgow; Guildford; London; Manchester; Nottingham; Oxford; Reading; Sheffield; Cambridgeshire; East Sussex; Nottinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Strathclyde; Surrey; Tayside; Yorkshire
Spatial Units: No spatial unit
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Textual data; Semi-structured interview transcripts

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:Subnational
Population:Principal Investigators and other scientific researchers working in the life sciences and employed in British universities or British commercial entities (subsidiaries of international firms or British firms)

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Purposive selection/case studies
Number of Units: 36
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview
Weighting: Not applicable

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 13 July 2009

Copyright:
Copyright Z. King

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