Abstract
We provide background information on U.S. and U.K. policies promoting innovation in small firms and also summarize the papers that appear in this special issue. These studies were presented at a recent workshop that was jointly organized by the University of Nottingham Institute for Enterprise and Innovation (UNIEI) and the Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Based on a synthesis of these papers and other evidence that was presented during the workshop, we conclude that: (1) program evaluation is much more prevalent in the U.S. than in the U.K.; (2) the U.S. Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program have been successful; and (3) shared costs between government and industry and frequent assessment are the keys to ensuring that such programs are successful.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), 1999, The AUTM Licensing Survey, Fiscal Year 1998.
Acs, Zoltan and David B. Audretsch, 1988, 'Innovation in Large and Small Firms: An Empirical Analysis', American Economic Review 78, 678-690.
Audretsch, David B., 1995, Innovation and Industry Evolution, Cambridge: MIT Press.
Feller, Irwin, 1990, 'Universities as Engines of R&D-Based Economic Growth: They Think They Can', Research Policy 19, 335-348.
Feller, Irwin, 1997, 'Technology Transfer from Universities', in John C. Smart (ed.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume XII, New York: Agathon Press, pp. 1-42.
Franklin, Stephen J., Mike Wright and Andy Lockett, 2001, 'Academic and Surrogate Entrepreneurs in University Spin-out Companies', Journal of Technology Transfer 26, 127-141.
Hall, Bronwyn H., Albert N. Link and John T. Scott, 2001, 'Barriers Inhibiting Industry from Partnering with Universities: Evidence from the Advanced Technology Program', Journal of Technology Transfer 26, 87-98.
Link, Albert N., 1996, Evaluating Public Sector Research and Development, New York: Praeger Publishers.
Link, Albert N. and John T. Scott, 1998, Public Accountability: Evaluating Technology-Based Institutions, Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Martin, Stephen and John T. Scott, 2000, 'The Nature of Innovation Market Failure and the Design of Public Support for Private Innovation', Research Policy 29, 437-448.
Mowery, David C., Richard R. Nelson, Bhaven Sampat and Arvids A. Ziedonis, 2001, 'The Effects of the Bayh-Dole Act on U.S. University Research and Technology Transfer: An Analysis of Data from Columbia University, the University of California, and Stanford University', Research Policy 30(1), 99-119.
Nelson, Richard R., 2001, 'Observations on the Post-Bayh-Dole Rise of Patenting at American Universities', Journal of Technology Transfer 26, 13-19.
Powell, Walter. W. and Jason Owen-Smith, 1998, 'Universities and the Market for Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences', Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 17, 253-2777.
Siegel, Donald S., 2000, 'Strategic Research Partnerships and Economic Performance: Data Considerations', Paper Presented at the National Science Foundation Workshop on Strategic Research Partnerships, Arlington, VA, October 13, 2000.
Siegel, Donald S., Jerry G. Thursby, Marie C. Thursby and Arvids A. Ziedonis, 2001, 'Organizational Issues in University-Industry Technology Transfer: An Overview of the Symposium Issue', Journal of Technology Transfer 26, 5-11.
Siegel, Donald, David Waldman and Albert N. Link, 1999, 'Assessing the Impact of Organizational Practices on the Productivity of University Technology Transfer Offices: An Exploratory Study', NBER Working Paper #7256, July 1999.
Thursby, Jerry G., Richard Jensen and Marie C. Thursby, 2000, 'Objectives, Characteristics and Outcomes of University Licensing: A Survey of Major U.S. Universities', Journal of Technology Transfer 26, 59-72.
Wessner, Charles W. (ed.), 1999, The Advanced Technology Program: Challenges and Opportunities, Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Wessner, Charles W. (ed.), 2000, The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR): An Assessment of the Department of Defense Fast Track Initiative, Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Siegel, D.S., Wessner, C., Binks, M. et al. Policies Promoting Innovation in Small Firms: Evidence from the U.S. and U.K.. Small Business Economics 20, 121–127 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022271914246
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022271914246