Firms' transfer strategies with universities and the relationship with firms' innovation performance

Abstract

Based on a representative sample of Swiss firms we empirically investigated strategies for knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) activities between business firms and universities as well as other public research institutions. Based on a cluster analysis of 19 different forms for KTT, three types of KTT strategies were identified. They were significantly correlated mainly to (i) the absorptive capacity of a firm, (ii) several factors hampering KTT activities, and (iii) some characteristics of the transfer process such as the number of partners, the existence of contacts to foreign universities and the utilization of the mediating services of transfer offices. Furthermore, it was found that KTT strategies related to the “core” transfer activities such as R&D contracts are stronger correlated with innovation performance compared to strategies related to “softer” transfer forms.