Knowledge acquisition by university researchers through company collaborations: Evidence from South Korea

Abstract

This study contributes to the debate on whether close interaction with industry partners in university–industry research collaborations (UICs) facilitates or hinders the acquisition of scientific knowledge by university researchers. The influence of relational mechanisms between UIC partners on university researchers’ technological and scientific knowledge acquisition is studied for a sample of 295 UICs in South Korea. The strength of pre-existing ties between university and industry partners, their shared project governance and decision process similarity contribute to the technological knowledge acquisition by university researchers. Moreover, the three mechanisms are also positively related to scientific knowledge acquisition indirectly through technological knowledge acquisition. The findings of this study indicate that university researchers can enhance their acquisition not only of technological knowledge, but also of scientific knowledge by developing and maintaining a strong working relationship with company partners in UICs.