The dismantling of redundant dichotomies: Biotechnology as an exemplar of university–industry collaboration

Abstract

This paper suggests that the established and distinctive dualisms invoked to describe aspects of research and forms of organisation are unravelling and becoming less meaningful in 21st century innovation, particularly as exemplified by university–industry collaboration in biotechnology. The basic–applied dualism to represent types of research activity and the public–private dualism to depict the nature of organisations are becoming redundant. Modern biotechnology draws on such an array of knowledge, from various disciplines and organisations, and with intricate, non-linear transfer mechanisms between actors, in order to deliver a broad range of applications, that conventional labels are becoming irrelevant. This has implications for the role and nature of the university in society.