Structures of knowledge transfer between universities and society in technical and non-technical fields: evidence from Germany

Knowledge transfer at universities refers to their engagement with society. A broad survey of German universities was undertaken for understanding the different structures of knowledge transfer in technical and non-technical disciplinary fields. The target of the survey was to identify starting points for intensifying knowledge transfer with the assumption that the transfer in non-technical fields can be substantially improved. The survey analysed knowledge transfer in a variety of technical and non-technical fields in terms of twenty-six transfer mechanisms and eight transfer partners. Based on this, the transfer profile and transfer intensity by field are determined, as well as the similarity of profiles between fields. The relevance of transfer in non-technical fields is also examined, proving it to be equivalent to that in technical fields. Furthermore, fields with low transfer intensity are identified. About half of the professors questioned have low transfer activities, dependent of the epistemic properties of their disciplinary field. Statistical tests are performed to identify factors that support or hinder knowledge transfer. Additionally, the difference in transfer intensity between men and women is examined. To understand the division of labour within fields, the distribution of transfer intensities for specific mechanisms is shown. A major finding is that in disciplines with an orientation on current societal problems such as law, economics, social sciences or education, the exchange with the society is a normal part of research and not an additional activity.