Center for Science, Technology, and Economic Development (CSTED) > Selected Reports
The Impact on Industry of Interaction with Engineering Research Centers
Appendix A
SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PARTICIPATION
IN THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION'S
ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTERS
Primary Participant Questionnaire
Please answer this questionnaire with regard to your company's participation in the Engineering Research Center identified below:
1.Please indicate below the company unit (the division, center, department, or other organizational unit) that is the primary direct beneficiary of your company's participation in the ERC.
(Note: in small companies, the entire company may be primary direct beneficiary.)
* Most of the questions that follow are about this unit's relationship with the ERC.
2. We are interested in obtaining as complete a picture as possible of the ways in which your company unit has interacted with and/or been affected by your interactions with the ERC. If there are persons in your company (other than you) who fit the descriptions below, we would appreciate your providing us with their names and addresses, so that we can mail a separate copy of the questionnaire to them.
Individual (if not yourself) who reviews or approves your company unit's participation in the ERC :
4. During the past 12 months, how often have you personally interacted with ERC faculty and
Ph.D.-level researchers (including postdocs)?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
AMOUNT OF INTERACTION WITH ERC FACULTY AND
PH.D.-LEVEL RESEARCHERS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS:
Never
Once or Twice
3 to 5 Times
6 to 10 Times
11 to 20 Times
21 to 50 Times
More than 50 Times
Have
No Idea
a.
By phone or e-mail
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
b.
In person (either at your company or at the ERC)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
5. During the past 12 months, how often have you personally interacted with ERC students?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
AMOUNT OF INTERACTION WITH ERC STUDENTS
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS:
Never
Once or Twice
3 to 5 Times
6 to 10 Times
11 to 20 Times
21 to 50 Times
More than 50 Times
Have
No Idea
a.
By phone or e-mail
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
b.
In person (either at your company or at the ERC)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
COMPANY UNIT INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ERC
6. What is the approximate dollar value of each of the following kinds of financial and in-kind support that this company unit provided to the ERC in 1992, 1993, and 1994?
(PLEASE ENTER YOUR BEST ESTIMATES; IF "NONE," ENTER "0"; IF "DON'T KNOW," ENTER "99")
1992
1993
1994
a.
ERC membership fees
$___________
$___________
$___________
b.
Contracts for ERC research
$___________
$___________
$___________
c.
Unrestricted grants for ERC research
$___________
$___________
$___________
d.
Fair-market value of in-kind donations
(e.g., software, equipment, etc.)
$___________
$___________
$___________
e.
Other (please specify:)
_____________________________
$___________
$___________
$___________
7. For how many years has your company unit been a member of or sponsored the ERC? (Include only the years in which the ERC has received NSF support.)
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER )
1 Year or Less
2 to 4 Years
5 to 7 Years
8 to 10 Years
Have No Idea
1
2
3
4
9
*
If less than 3 years, please skip to question 9
8. Is obtaining company approval for your unit's participation in the ERC more difficult now than it was 3 years ago, is it about the same level of difficulty, or is it less difficult?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER )
More Difficult Now
About the Same
Less Difficult Now
Have No Idea
1
2
3
9
9. In the past 12 months, to your knowledge, about how many company unit employees other than yourself have interacted with ERC researchers or students in each of the listed ways?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM)
None
1 to 5
6 to 10
11 or More
Have
No Idea
a.
Participated in joint project at the ERC site
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
b.
Participated in joint project at the company site
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
c.
Used facilities/equipment at ERC site
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
d.
Used ERC testbed facilities or prototype capabilities
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
e.
Participated in ERC seminars or workshops
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
f.
Consulted with ERC faculty or researchers
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
g.
Supervised ERC students at company site
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
h.
Jointly authored publications or proposals
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
i.
Jointly developed software or inventions
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
j.
Read ERC research results or publications
0
1-5
6-10
11+
99
ORIGINAL REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION
10. To the best of your knowledge, at the time that your company unit first decided to participate in the ERC, how important, if at all, were each of the following in the decision to participate?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
Not at All Important/ Doesn't Apply
Somewhat Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
Don't Know/ Don't Remember
a.
Access to new ideas
1
2
3
4
5
9
b.
Access to equipment and/ or facilities at the ERC
1
2
3
4
5
9
c.
Access to ERC students as prospective new hires
1
2
3
4
5
9
d.
Access to specific ERC faculty
1
2
3
4
5
9
e.
Access to ERC expertise
1
2
3
4
5
9
f.
Technological/research focus at ERC matches
our interests
1
2
3
4
5
9
g.
Opportunity for joint projects
1
2
3
4
5
9
h.
Opportunity for cross-disciplinary research
1
2
3
4
5
9
i.
Opportunity to support a
local institution
1
2
3
4
5
9
j.
Ease of in-person interaction (geographic proximity)
1
2
3
4
5
9
k.
Prior connections/ relationships with individuals at the ERC
1
2
3
4
5
9
l.
Ability to leverage research investment with money from other ERC participants
1
2
3
4
5
9
m.
Opportunity to interact with other companies affiliated with the ERC
1
2
3
4
5
9
n.
Opportunity to keep abreast of university-based research in the field
1
2
3
4
5
9
o.
Access to ERC testbed facilities or prototyping capabilities
1
2
3
4
5
9
p.
Ability to license inventions and/or software developed by the ERC
1
2
3
4
5
9
BENEFITS EXPERIENCED TO DATE
11. (A) To your knowledge, which of the following has your company done as a direct result of its participation in the ERC? (PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
(B) If "yes" on (A): How would you rate the benefit that your company unit or company as a whole has derived to date from each? (PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACHAPPLICABLE ITEM)
(B) IF "YES," BENEFIT DERIVED TO DATE:
(A) DIRECT RESULTS OF
PARTICIPATION IN THE ERC:
Yes
No
Little or None
Some
A Moderate Amount
A Great Deal
Have No Idea
a.
Obtained access to new ideas, know-how, or technologies through ERC interaction
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
b.
Received direct technical assistance from the ERC
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
c.
Used ERC facilities or equipment
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
d.
Hired ERC student or graduate
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
e.
Influenced the R&D agenda of this or another company unit
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
f.
Adopted ERC technology or research output for manufacturing or production
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
g.
Licensed technology or software developed by the ERC
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
h.
Patented or copyrighted technology or software developed by your company as a result of interaction with the ERC
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
i.
Decreased the lead time needed for the introduction of a new product/process
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
j.
Improved a product or process
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
k.
Developed a new product/process
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
l.
Commercialized a product/process obtained from the ERC
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
m.
Established a new company/joint ven-ture based on ERC technology/product
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
n.
Maintained/increased company employment in a product line
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
o.
Terminated a planned process or product line
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
p.
Increased sales/profits or reduced costs
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
q.
Increased interaction with other firms through membership in ERC consortium
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
r.
Developed joint research proposals/ projects with other ERC corporate sponsors
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
s.
Provided customers/suppliers with improved technical information
1
2
1
2
3
4
9
12. Overall, how would you rate the portfolio of benefits that your company unit or company as a whole has derived over time from its participation in the ERC?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
Little or None
Some
A Moderate Amount
A Great Deal
Have No Idea
1
2
3
4
9
13. Overall, to what extent, if at all, has participation in the ERC led to increased competitiveness for your company unit or your company as a whole?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
Little or None
Some
A Moderate Amount
A Great Deal
Have No Idea
1
2
3
4
9
14. (Optional) Please describe two or three of the most significant benefits that your company unit has derived from itsparticipation with the ERC.
15. Overall, how much influence would you say your company unit has on the ERC's research agenda?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER )
Little or
None
Some
A Moderate Amount
A Great
Deal
A Very Great Deal
Have
No Idea
1
2
3
4
5
9
16. In the past 5 years, has your company unit hired any ERC students or graduates?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM AND ENTER NUMBERS AS APPROPRIATE)
Yes
No
Have No Idea
IF "YES,"
About how many?
a.
As temporary employees (e.g., summer hires)
1
2
9
__________
b.
As regular full-time employees after graduation
1
2
9
__________
* If your company unit has not hired any ERC students or graduates as regular, full-time employees
in the past 5 years, please skip to question 19.
17. In general, how would you rate the ERC students and graduates that your company unit has hired as regular employees compared to students and graduates hired from non-ERC engineering programs?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
ERC STUDENTS/GRADUATES ARE:
Much Worse
Somewhat Worse
About the Same
Somewhat Better
Much
Better
Have No Idea
a.
Depth of technological knowledge
1
2
3
4
5
9
b.
Breadth of technological knowledge
1
2
3
4
5
9
c.
Contribution to the company's technical work
1
2
3
4
5
9
d.
Company-funded training required before they became a net contributor to the company's work
1
2
3
4
5
9
e.
Ability to apply knowledge from different disciplines and use technologies in an integrated fashion to solve problems
1
2
3
4
5
9
f.
Ability to solve problems within constraints of time, money, and human resources
1
2
3
4
5
9
g.
Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
1
2
3
4
5
9
h.
Familiarity with engineering systems approach
1
2
3
4
5
9
i.
Ability to use knowledge to develop technology
1
2
3
4
5
9
j.
Overall preparedness for working in industry
1
2
3
4
5
9
18. Did any of the positions that you filled with ERC graduates require capabilities or experience that could be provided only through the education/training they received in the ERC?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
Yes
No
Have No Idea
1
2
9
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ERC-DERIVED BENEFITS
19. How important have the following been in contributing to the benefits that your company unit has derived from ERC participation? (PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
Doesn't Apply
to Us/
the ERC
Not at All Important
Somewhat Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
Have No Idea
a.
Continuous existence of a strong ERC "champion" in the company unit
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
b.
Responsiveness of the ERC director to our needs
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
c.
Responsiveness of ERC faculty/ researchers to our needs
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
d.
The ERC's efforts to communicate and stay in contact with participants
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
e.
Receptivity of company technical staff to ERC ideas and/or results
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
f.
Management support of the ERC within our company
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
g.
Aggressiveness with which our employees pursue ERC collaboration
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
h.
Our ability to establish proprietary rights
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
i.
Geographic proximity of the ERC to us
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
j.
The closeness between the ERC's specific technical focus and ours
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
k.
The ERC's engineering systems approach to education
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
l.
The ERC's emphasis on cross-disciplinary research
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
m.
The commercialization potential of ERC research
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
n.
Our ability to influence the ERC's research agenda
0
1
2
3
4
5
9
BARRIERS TO RECEIVING BENEFITS FROM THE ERC
20. In your opinion, how much of a barrier is each of the following to the ability of your company unit to obtain benefits from its participation in the ERC?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM)
Not a Barrier/ Doesn't Apply
A Minor Barrier
A Moderate Barrier
A Major Barrier
Have No Idea
a.
Differences between the ERC and my company in values, mission, or priorities (e.g., academia vs. corporate values)
1
2
3
4
9
b.
Intellectual property issues
1
2
3
4
9
c.
Different conceptions of time between project initiation and completion
1
2
3
4
9
d.
Different conceptions of the impor-tance of meeting project deadlines
1
2
3
4
9
e.
Insufficient influence on the ERC's research agenda
1
2
3
4
9
f.
Inequitable ERC access/influence among the various corporate members (some members have more access/influence than others)
1
2
3
4
9
g.
ERC research is not sufficiently applied
1
2
3
4
9
h.
ERC research is not sufficiently relevant to our needs
1
2
3
4
9
i.
Poor communication between the ERC and us
1
2
3
4
9
j.
Geographic distance between my company and the ERC
1
2
3
4
9
k.
Low commercialization potential of ERC research
1
2
3
4
9
l.
Lack of awareness about the ERC within my company
1
2
3
4
9
m.
Internal company "politics"
1
2
3
4
9
n.
Other company matters preempt involvement with the ERC
1
2
3
4
9
COMPARISONS WITH OTHER UNIVERSITY-BASED R&D PROGRAMS
21. Within the past 5 years, has your company unit had any of the following kinds of interactions or relationships with universities?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM
Yes
No
Have No Idea
a.
Participation in university-based R&D consortia other than the ERC
1
2
9
b.
Research contracts with universities, other than the ERC
1
2
9
c.
Consulting arrangements with individual faculty, other than those with the ERC
1
2
9
* If "No" for all of the above, please skip to question 23.
22. On each of the following dimensions, how does the ERC compare with most other universities with which your company unit has been involved?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH ITEM
THE ERC IS:
Less than Most
About the Same
More than Most
Have No Idea
a.
Oriented to applied R&D
1
2
3
9
b.
Has a cross-disciplinary approach
1
2
3
9
c.
Oriented towards transfer of technology
1
2
3
9
d.
Its students are well prepared for work in industry
1
2
3
9
e.
Provides a neutral ground for meeting with other companies
1
2
3
9
f.
Allows industry involvement in setting its research agenda
1
2
3
9
EXPECTED FUTURE BENEFITS
23. Do you think that your company unit will participate in the ERC in 1996 and in 1997?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH YEAR)
Definitely Not
Probably Not
Uncertain
Probably Yes
Definitely Yes
a.
Participate in 1996
1
2
3
4
5
b.
Participate in 1997
1
2
3
4
5
* If "definitely not" in either 1996 or 1997, please skip to question 25.
24. Are there any types of benefits that your company unit has not yet obtained from participating in the ERC but that you expect to obtain in the future?
(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
Yes.....................................
1
No.....................................
2
*
If "yes," please describe briefly:___________________________________________________
R&D Divisions