This concept is the thesis of Martin Kenney's Biotechnology. There are many things I like about the book. It expands on this framework and logically chronicles the development of many university-industry relationships and their positive and negative aspects. Tables provide useful information about the financial and personal aspects of these unique linkages.
The author identifies and analyzes the problems raised by such close associations of universities, faculty, students and administrations with industry. He emphasizes accurately the conflicts of academic and commercial interest, both inside and outside of the university.
The book moves from early business developments, to the response of university leaders to entrepreneurial initiatives by their staffs, the role of venture capital, and the increasing role of multinational organizations. There is a separate chapter on agriculture and biotechnology (Kenney is an associate professor of agricultural economics at Ohio State) and it is a relief to see that the author ...
