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Engineering Knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Nathan Rosenberg

    (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research)

  • W. Edward Steinmuller

    (University of Sussex)

Abstract
In historical perspective, both the nature of and arrangements for the generation of engineering knowledge have evolved over the past 150 years. We examine the historical development of the search for ‘useful knowledge’ in agriculture, aeronautics and chemical engineering during the first half of this period and the evolving balance between public and private initiative in supporting this search. During this period, the US was engaged in the engineering knowledge was often empirical, practice oriented, and difficult to reconcile with the aims and structure of university teaching. As a consequence, private and public initiatives were often co-mingled and connections with users of the knowledge were essential both for funding (either directly or through the mobilization of political constituencies) and for the testing of designs and emerging theories. Incorporation of engineering knowledge into university curricula was uneven and benefitted greatly, but not exclusively, from the Land Grant Universities. We highlight the distinctions between this early period and developments following World War II, when engineering knowledge has become more theoretical, science-oriented and strongly embedded in universities. In this new era of engineering knowledge, we consider whether areas remain where pre-theoretical empirical knowledge might usefully be exploited and whether the earlier period might provide a guide to funding and organisational arrangements for doing so.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathan Rosenberg & W. Edward Steinmuller, 2012. "Engineering Knowledge," Discussion Papers 11-022, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:sip:dpaper:11-022
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Huffman, Wallace E. & Evenson, Robert E., 1993. "Science for Agriculture: A Long Term Perspective," Staff General Research Papers Archive 10997, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    2. Nathan ROSENBERG, 2009. "Why do firms do basic research (with their own money)?," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Studies On Science And The Innovation Process Selected Works of Nathan Rosenberg, chapter 11, pages 225-234, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Nightingale, 2014. "What is technology? Six definitions and two pathologies," SPRU Working Paper Series 2014-19, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    2. Sofia Nordqvist & Johan Frishammar, 2019. "Knowledge types to progress the development of sustainable technologies: a case study of Swedish demonstration plants," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 75-95, March.
    3. Tylecote, Andrew, 2019. "Biotechnology as a new techno-economic paradigm that will help drive the world economy and mitigate climate change," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 858-868.
    4. D’Ippolito, Beatrice & Miozzo, Marcela & Consoli, Davide, 2014. "Knowledge systematisation, reconfiguration and the organisation of firms and industry: The case of design," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(8), pages 1334-1352.
    5. Bossink, Bart, 2020. "Learning strategies in sustainable energy demonstration projects: What organizations learn from sustainable energy demonstrations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    6. Hellsmark, Hans & Frishammar, Johan & Söderholm, Patrik & Ylinenpää, Håkan, 2016. "The role of pilot and demonstration plants in technology development and innovation policy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1743-1761.
    7. Yaqub, Ohid, 2017. "Testing regimes in clinical trials: Evidence from four polio vaccine trajectories," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 475-484.
    8. Blandinieres, Florence & Pellens, Maikel, 2021. "Scientist's industry engagement and the research agenda: Evidence from Germany," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-001, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge; engineering; agriculture; aeronautical engineering; chemical engineering; universities; science policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • N71 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N72 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics

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