A new perspective on knowledge exchange: the role of professors’ cross-employment outside academia in Germany

In recent years, knowledge exchange (KE) and, more generally, the Third Mission have gained in importance for HEI. Consequently, research has focused on different formal and informal KE activities in order to extend the understanding of the antecedents and processes of KE. Literature indicates that researchers’ professional experience outside academia may positively impact KE, although evidence has been sparse until now. By comparing professors with and without cross-employment, this paper aims to extend the understanding of the relationship between institutionalised and non-institutionalised KE activities. The results, based on one of the most comprehensive quantitative surveys of German professors’ KE engagement, indicate that cross-employment is positively associated with KE and, furthermore, appears to moderate the influence of single factors. The differences between the two groups are explored by utilising multilinear regression analysis and multi-group structural equation modeling.