Resistance to Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Promotion and Tenure Evaluation at Universities

Support for innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) in university settings is critical for society to benefit from university research. In a series of three studies, we examine how, when, and why academic promotion systems disincentivize I&E, and what can be done to alleviate misalignment between I&E and what faculty value in promotion. In the first study, we examine whether faculty are rewarded for I&E activities in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process, the primary reward system in universities. Using data from 761 faculty members in STEM disciplines and 4581 ERLs submitted as part of P&T packets, we found that obtaining a patent and discussion of I&E activities in a candidate's external review letters (ERLs) was related to a larger percentage of unfavorable P&T outcomes, including a 68% reduction in the likelihood of a positive vote from the provost for candidates with patents. In the second study, we examine the underlying beliefs driving the perceptions of I&E. A survey of 295 faculty found support for a belief-based model: perceptions of the value and importance of I&E were associated with the extent to which faculty believed social impact and applied research was a goal of science/scientists. In a third study, we compared four easy-to-implement rubric interventions to improve how faculty value I&E in promotion decision-making. Only one led faculty to value I&E more positively, which highlighted the societal benefits of I&E work. In our conclusion, we outline recommendations to address resistance to I&E and help realize the broader impact of science in society by aligning rewards for I&E activities with promotion systems.