Knowledge transfer has been around for years but has been lacking professional standards in the UK – something the Institute of Knowledge Transfer is hoping to change, as Louise Druce discovers.

Innovation is driving firms but while one of its facilitators, knowledge transfer, has been around for decades, it has still been lacking a true professional voice and academic underpinning to show what it can really do to boost business.

The Institute of Knowledge Transfer (IKT) aims to bridge this gap, uniting an estimated 12,500 KT practitioners in the UK and Ireland, and laying down standards and good practices that can be shared among the larger KT community.

The basic premise of knowledge transfer manages the process of turning technology know-how, expertise and skills into innovative, commercial products and services. This could be in the form of licensed research from an engineering department, for example, or transferring work in the medical or social sciences fields to the NHS or a local authority that benefits the wider community.

Knowledge transfer professionals are there to support all stages of the innovation process, from idea generation to commercial exploitation, with an aim to maximise the contribution of knowledge to industrial, regional and social development.

"We are seeking a partnership with industry to improve the product or service they have, as opposed to management techniques or the commercial approach the business has," explains Philip Graham, executive director of the institute. "But looking at it as a society element, there could be work in economics or social sciences which could lead to improved management practices through research."

Giving KT a voice

With funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, IKT had a 'soft' launch in May as an independent, not-for-profit organisation. However, there are already exciting plans afoot for future development. This includes steps towards a first of its kind academic journal, social networks and the launch of a mentoring service. "Some people have found it difficult to have their work published because there was no natural home. We are creating that natural home," adds Graham.

Although, he admits the creation of the institute was a 'leap of faith'. "There is a critical mass of people in knowledge transfer and it got to the stage where it needed proper professional standards," he adds. "We were a group of professionals who had been talking about this for years and believed the institute had to exist but we also wanted to make sure we had something to deliver."

 Knowledge transfer activity was mostly centred in universities but now involves public and private laboratories, and is applicable to all industries. One of IKT's most important focuses is addressing academic underpinning. "Knowledge transfer is significantly coming from different sectors," says Graham. "People interested in this come from law, economics, public policy and engineering… it's everywhere. We are trying to get them together with academics to address what the benefit of knowledge transfer to society is."

Another major goal is the embedding of innovation within the higher education sector. "Innovation is there but I'm not 100% sure it's as deeply rooted as it should be," Graham explains. "It's been pointed out that academics don't engage but they love to see their work out there. Per dollar, we're actually spinning out more companies than the US and none of that could happen if it were true because where would the companies and licensing deals come from? The role of the knowledge transfer practitioner is to facilitate it."

Rules of engagement

What could prove challenging is getting SMEs more enthused about knowledge transfer activities. "Everybody is struggling with the engagement of SMEs," Graham admits. "Nobody has cracked it yet because what SMEs are looking for is different to what large companies are seeking."

Most universities are trying to address the problem by profiling and promoting more SME-specific activities on their websites but Graham believes smaller firms are possibly looking for something more consultancy-based and perhaps hastily rule them out. "SMEs are incredibly busy and have invested large amounts of money into their businesses. The last thing they want is some university guy turning up on their doorstep saying they can do something to help," he says.

"I think it's trying to get the message across that universities don't just produce things in huge rooms with massive pieces of machinery. They can solve quite small problems at a reasonable cost."

While it is a problem that will not be readily solved, it is just one among many that IKT hopes to find answers to as it moves forward. As Graham freely admits, the UK is playing somewhat of a catch-up in knowledge transfer compared to countries such as the USA. However, he also points out that in its short life, the IKT has already stepped up a gear to deliver more services that have also caught the eye of its European neighbours. 

Accredited courses and training opportunities are already in the pipeline for KT professionals with various levels of expertise and experience, and the institute is looking to promote Europe-wide recognition. "We have to compete at the very highest levels in this economic climate," adds Graham. "It's incumbent on us, as knowledge transfer professionals, to be the very best at what we can do."