Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This is a qualitative dataset. This study examined the human behaviour underpinning collaboration in the life sciences. It focused on collaboration between universities and industries; and regional collaboration. It sought to explain the incidence of knowledge production in terms of individual career factors and how organisational factors interact with the individual to determine innovation outcomes. Interviews were conducted with scientists in universities, industry (large and small firms and entrepreneurial ventures), and the National Health Service. Many of the academic and clinical scientists were leaders their field in areas relevant to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and agrochemical industries and/or with clinical applications. Interviews focused on career background, scientific specialism, important collaborators, and particularly the role and relative contribution of the production of knowledge as evidence in patent applications. Questions also focused on interviewees' views of institutional frameworks within which collaborations unfold and on policy initiatives to promote collaboration, particularly localised collaboration. Further information about the study can be found at the project's website or ESRC funding webpage.

Main Topics:

Collaboration, commercial, human resources,knowledge sharing, life sciences, policy, scientists, self-efficacy, technology, universities.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview