How Technological Platforms Reconfigure Science-Industry Relations: The Case of Micro- and Nanotechnology |
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| Authors: | Martina Merz Peter Biniok |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Sociology, University of Lucerne, Bruchstrasse 43, PO Box 7456, 6000 Lucerne 7, Switzerland |
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| Abstract: | With reference to the recent science studies debate on the nature of science-industry relationship, this article focuses on
a novel organizational form: the technological platform. Considering the field of micro- and nanotechnology in Switzerland,
it investigates how technological platforms participate in framing science-industry activities. On the basis of a comparative
analysis of three technological platforms, it shows that the platforms relate distinctly to academic and to industrial users.
It distinguishes three pairs of user models, one model in each pair pertaining to how platforms act toward and conceive of
academic users, the other model regarding users from industry. The article then discusses how technological platforms reconfigure
the science-economy divide. While the observed platforms provide new institutional contact and interaction between academia and industry, new research collaboration does not necessarily materialize in practice. In this respect, science-industry mediation by way of technological platforms does not make science-industry boundaries
more porous. Instead, the declared openness of public research with respect to industry, in the case of technological platforms,
may contribute to maintain public science’s autonomy. |
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