Highways of Knowledge

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss mechanisms, enablers and barriers for knowledge transfer in university - industry collaboration projects. The underlying question is how to acquire the right kind of knowledge to stay innovative and competitive in today’s fast changing society. The study is conducted with a qualitative research design. Data is collected through 35 qualitative interviews with Danish and Norwegian representatives from three main categories: Business, research and university students. All respondents have been involved in collaborative projects within recent time, such as student-industry cooperation or collaboration projects between researchers and businesses. This research shows that to secure real value adding through knowledge transfer in university - industry collaboration projects, it is important that the involved parties view each other as equal partners. Allowing for curiosity, mutual sharing and experimentation might lead to unforeseeable, valuable knowledge creation in contrast to secrecy and holding back information. Another key finding in this paper is that the level of reciprocal knowledge transfer is perceived as lower in student - business collaboration projects than in projects involving researchers and businesses. It is argued that creating a better understanding of roles and competences of the involved parties can help diminish the problem. A third significant conclusion is that continuous knowledge sharing throughout the project seems more highly valued by the involved parties than a final report does. This result could have implications for the framing of future collaboration projects in this field.