Innovations and the Commercialization of Knowledge

Abstract

The paper analyses the subject of change processes at universities. The main thesis concerns the concept that changes at universities are triggered by social innovations. The author explores the problem of the changing paradigm of universities' role from the concept of purely scientific institution to a university which commercializes its scientific results, tracing its origins as related with social networks. In this context, the term of social innovation is defined in the perspective of its receivers. The paper shows examples of social innovations in relationships between universities and external actors: case studies of ISIS Innovation in Oxford and TuTech in Hamburg, as well as the concept of clusters as the most developed form of social networks with active participation from universities so far. The author analyses how the idea of change may contribute to universities' development. The text includes conclusions accentuating the value of regular social innovation in universities' organization and that social innovations are always generated by specific individuals.