Accountability Report
Appendices
The University of Washington has a significant role in building the economy of state of Washington. All major research universities are invest--often with very substantial state dollars--in economic development initiatives. The UW, through its Office of Technology Transfer, Washington Technology Center, and the Washington Research Foundation, is trying to enhance the discovery, translation, and commercialization phases of UW R&D. Measures of accountability should be developed to measure the impact of the commercialization of UW research. These measures could include licensing income from businesses for technologies developed through UW research, estimates of jobs created as a result of UW R&D and licensing, and the indirect impact of these moneys on the State's economy.
The type of data that can be generated is illustrated by the October 1994 Economic Impact Study of the University of Washington, which was conducted by KPMP Peat Marwick LLP and K. Scott Hughes Associates for the fiscal year 1992-1993. This study found that the University received $1.616 billion in funds, of which some $431 million came from out-of-state. The estimated impact of these revenues was $3.447 billion, creating some 68,500 jobs. Direct employment was estimated to be 20,663. Although not reported directly in this study, the impact of the out-of-state funds (27% of the total) was 18,500 jobs and $930 million in industrial output.
Another perspective on the impact of the University is provided by the January 1997 Technology Alliance study entitled The Economic Impact of Technology-based Industries in Washington State, co-authored by William Beyers and David Lindahl. This study was conducted for the year 1995, and included only the research activities of the University. It found total research revenues were $397 million, $352 million of which were from out of state. The study estimated 6,132 directly supported jobs related to research activities (inclusive of jobs supported by indirect costs), and a total of 13,284 jobs statewide. Some $854 million in industrial output and $412 million in labor income were estimated to stem from these research activities.
These two studies differ in terms of methodology and their scope. However, their findings are quite compatible and document the importance of externally-funded research and other activities at the University which generate jobs, business activity, and income in the Washington economy.
Accountability Report
Appendices
