The commercialization of sociological research

On the How and Why (Not)

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7095486
AutoresKathrin Komp (0000-0001-9342-2170, Faculty of Social Research, Helsinki University , Helsinki, autor de correspondencia)
Año2017
Volumen20
Número4
Páginas644-664
Fecha de publicación2017-11-22
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEuropean Societies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1461-6696 • E-ISSN: 1469-8307
EditorialRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14616696.2017.1405059
OpenAlexW2769829662
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas35

Recent budget cuts in academia and the spread of neoliberal thought has put pressure on sociology. Unlocking new funding sources is a major concern for sociologists and focusing on funding from the market is a prominent suggestion. Such funding can be generated through research commercialization, that is, developing research findings into products and services that can be sold on the market. This study explores how a commercialization of sociological research can be achieved, and what advantages and disadvantages it has. Methods are expert interviews and participant observation. Findings show that a commercialization of sociological research can be achieved through studies on companies or products, and through the participation in multidisciplinary research projects. The proponents of commercialization are mainly university administrations, consultants, and economists, who see advantages in the acquisition of funding and the improvement of products. The adversaries of commercialization are sociologists, who find a commercialization antithetical to their disciplinary identity, have ethical concerns about aggravating social problems as a side-effect, and fear for their academic careers. In conclusion, a commercialization of sociological research needs to proceed circumspectly, considering that it could internally erode the discipline of sociology

Commercialization · Economic sociology · Economics · Neoclassical economics · Political science · Positive economics · Social science · Sociological research · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Law · Management and Organizational Studies · Social and Cultural Dynamics