Bioindustrial Innovation Centre

I understand the raison d’être of the academic and industry communities – the former being the scholarly pursuit of truth in contrast to the latter, the pragmatic support for profit.  I understand that the two communities continue to struggle with each other when it comes to agreements and best practices. 

 What I question is how efficient are our current practices at bridging these two distinct islands given the stark contrast in organizational culture.  Organizational culture can be argued prevents these organizations from converging; however it is hoped that new frameworks can be built to converge differing minds and focuses.

 Industry and entrepreneurship has the unique culture that has few rules or procedures.  Control in these organizations is obtained through the selection of key individuals. 

The decision making process hinges on political motives, not procedural or necessarily logical practices.  Industry would rather put trust and faith into the individuals not necessarily the community or the organizational role. 

 Industry judges by results and the verdicts can be swift.  This is a group that needs to move quickly on ventures, it reacts well to threats and opportunities.  Generally speaking, individuals who succeed in this type of environment are power oriented, politically minded, enjoy risk taking and have a low security tolerance.

 The academic communities, similar to large governmental organizations, gains and impose control by procedures for roles.  Stability is created and sustained by using structural regulations. 

 For example, communication channels, also known as the chain of command, are used to enforce policies and settle disputes.  In this framework, co-ordination of activities by top executives is essential to retain; to the point that the role or job title is more important than the individual.  In contrast to industry, performance above the role is not required for succession or advancement. 

Rules, policies, and procedures are major influencing methods used.  Individuals who achieve success in this environment thrive in stable environment, prefer the predictable to uncertainty, are slow to change, and would prefer a steady career progression.

The lines have been drawn, the positions taken – enter the mediator?  How can we bridge this gulf?