In terms of quality, Scotland's university-based research is amongst the best in the world. However, the level of business research and development lags behind that of most developed countries. If the Scottish Government is to realise its ambitions for delivering significantly higher and sustainable levels of economic growth, then more of the high quality knowledge being created in Scotland's universities needs to be effectively transferred for and into the Scottish economy.
Enhanced knowledge exchange from universities has the potential to contribute to both improved economic output from existing businesses and the creation of new, high value businesses with the capacity to grow and energise Scotland's GDP performance. It also has the potential to deliver social and cultural gains for Scotland.
The exchange of knowledge between universities to the wider economy is complex and can take many forms. Knowledge exchange activities range from public lectures, the establishment of new spin-out companies, and project collaboration between universities and business or other organisations. The sheer range and nature of activities which knowledge exchange encompasses means that knowledge exchange is not easily measured systematically across Scotland; is dependent on demand from businesses or public/voluntary organisations; and, in many cases, does not raise income for universities. Moreover, the exchange of knowledge from universities can occur both directly and indirectly.
The enterprise networks and the Scottish Funding Council are tasked with working to improve innovation and knowledge exchange. These bodies employ a wide variety of mechanisms to enhance university-business engagement and the effective exchange and utilisation of the knowledge and expertise located within Scottish universities. This includes support and incentives to stimulate an increase in demand for university innovation from Scottish businesses, which are increasingly able to absorb and exploit such knowledge and expertise to improve their own performance, and that of the Scottish economy.
Over the period 2002-03 to 2015-16, there has been an overall rise in the knowledge exchange index. In 2015-16, the latest year for which data is available, the index increased by 10.1 per cent. This was driven by an increase in income received from venturing activities.
The data is available at the bottom of the page.
Over the year to 2013-14, weighted income from both categories of external research grants and contracts – (Industry, commerce and public corporations, and UK central government bodies/LAs, health and hospital authorities) – fell by 2% each. Together, these two categories accounted for just over 40% of total sector Knowledge Exchange income for 2013/14 meaning that these seemingly small declines are likely to have had a large impact on the total sector performance.
Income received from venturing actives also declined over the year (2012-13 to 2013-14), and contributed 14% to (weighted) total sector income in 2013/14. It should be noted however that venturing data is particularly sensitive to the timing of when individual projects start and end – and fluctuations over time in income from venturing have highlighted the volatility of this component of the index. For example, over the lifetime of the series it has varied between £2 million and £48 million.
The data is available at the bottom of the page.
The evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 2.5 percent suggest the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 2.5 percent or more suggests the position is improving ; whereas a decrease of 2.5 percent or more suggests the position is worsening.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Business Organisations
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Funding Council
Universities
Smarter
Healthier
Wealthier and Fairer