Foreign-Born Academic Scientists: Entrepreneurial Academics or Academic Entrepreneurs?

R&D Management, 42(3): 254-272, 2012

19 Pages Posted: 17 Dec 2012

See all articles by Dirk Libaers

Dirk Libaers

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Tang Wang

Michigan Technological University - Department of Business & Economics

Date Written: December 16, 2012

Abstract

Although foreign-born scholars make up a significant portion of the US professoriate, little is known about how their ‘foreign-born’ identity directly or indirectly affects their entrepreneurial prowess. This article integrates role identity theory with theoretical arguments from social network and cultural proximity theories to examine whether foreign-born academic scientists can better be characterized as entrepreneurial academics (strong government grant productivity) or academic entrepreneurs (strong involvement in the creation and commercialization of university-invented technologies). Our analysis indicates that foreign-born academic scientists seem more successful in attracting research resources, but are less successful in exploiting their inventions through entrepreneurial activities. They can therefore be best described as entrepreneurial academics. These findings may partially explain the tepid performance of many research-intensive universities in terms of technology transfer and commercialization.We discuss the policy implications of our findings and provide guidance for academic entrepreneurs.

Keywords: Academic Entrepreneurship, Foreign-born academic scientists, role identity

JEL Classification: O31, O38

Suggested Citation

Libaers, Dirk and Wang, Tang, Foreign-Born Academic Scientists: Entrepreneurial Academics or Academic Entrepreneurs? (December 16, 2012). R&D Management, 42(3): 254-272, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2190063

Dirk Libaers (Contact Author)

University of Missouri-Kansas City ( email )

5110 Cherry St.
Kansas City, MO 64110
United States

Tang Wang

Michigan Technological University - Department of Business & Economics ( email )

1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
United States

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