'Developers': key actors of the innovation process. Types of developers and their contacts to institutions involved in research and development, continuing education and training, and the transfer of technology

摘要

The optimization of the interface between science and economy has become one of the most important guidelines of technology policy. The article argues that developer's networks play an important role in the innovation process and therefore should be better integrated in the conception of technology policy. The article presents the results of a research project conducted for the Swiss National Science Foundation. The study took a closer look at the patterns of professional relationships among those people so called “developers” who are occupied with technological innovation on a day-by-day basis. The conclusions for technology policy focus around institutional improvements of the developer's professional networking needs. After a short introduction to the theoretical foundations of the approach (Section 1), Section 2 clarifies the question “To whom do developers turn when they require technical assistance?”. Section 3 is devoted to the various types of institutions, where developers turn when they need technical support and which display different profiles of attractivity and competence to developers. Starting from that basis, Section 4 formulates some suggestions for policy-makers, who are engaged in shaping the interface between science and industry.