Managing the accountability-autonomy tensions in university research commercialisation

Narayan, A. K., Northcott, D. and Parker, L. D. (2017) Managing the accountability-autonomy tensions in university research commercialisation. Financial Accountability and Management, 33(4), pp. 335-355. (doi: 10.1111/faam.12127)

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Abstract

This article investigates organisational responses to emerging concerns about how accountability–autonomy tensions can be managed within the context of university research commercialisation. The findings suggest that changed expectations of university research practices, which result from the introduction of a commercialisation logic, can be managed via the homogenisation of research goals and strategies. The successful management of accountability–autonomy tensions also depends on utilising the various structures and cultural contexts that can be facilitated by decoupling and bridging strategies. Further, while adopting symbolic systems may enhance legitimacy, failure to implement material practices and provide the appropriate cultural context to manage conflicting relationships may put university commercialisation ambitions at risk.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Parker, Professor Lee
Authors: Narayan, A. K., Northcott, D., and Parker, L. D.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
Journal Name:Financial Accountability and Management
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0267-4424
ISSN (Online):1468-0408
Published Online:14 August 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 John Wiley and Sons Ltd
First Published:First published in Financial Accountability and Management 33(4):335-355
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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