Connections, productivity and funding: an examination of the factors influencing scientists' perceptions on the market orientation of academic research

Abstract

This study examines scientists' perceptions of the environment in which they do their work. Specifically, this study examines how academic and professional factors such as research productivity, funding levels for science, connections to industry, type of academic appointment, and funding sources influence scientists' perceptions of the market orientation of science. The findings are based on data from a survey of 5,000 researchers (1,703 respondents) at 100 public research universities in the United States. The analyses demonstrate that connections to industry, certain types of scholarly productivity, opinions about the processes for obtaining funding, and service in a national advisory capacity are significantly related to scientists' perceptions of the market orientation of academic research.