Abstract
Nowadays, manufacturing companies collaborate with universities in innovation projects to sustain or achieve competitive advantage. However, fundamental differences between the industrial and academic worlds hamper the utilization full innovation potential of such collaboration. As a countermeasure, industry stresses the need for the development of knowledge management tools that can increase the value of collaborative innovation projects. This paper covers a qualitative study of research-based innovation projects owned by manufacturing companies and partly funded by government, where the academia has the role as research provider. We seek to answer two research questions: (1) how can the strategies and objectives for collaboration to meet both partners’ expectations be defined? (2) how to facilitate the projects to enhance the creation and exploiting of knowledge? The study identifies that a modified version of Nonaka’s so-called five-phase model of organizational knowledge creation is applicable for the given context. Based on this, we propose a conceptual knowledge management model of university-industry collaboration in innovation projects. The proposed model provides (1) management initiatives that intensify knowledge creation and exploiting processes (2) ensures partners’ commitment to collaboration along with the continuing improvement of university-industry collaborative concepts. It is proposes that the model will support knowledge managers of industry and university in conducting innovation projects more effectively and efficiently, as well as deliver even more innovation values to partners and society. The model can also assist national and federal research/innovation councils in decision-making when assessing industrial research project applications.
Highlights
Research-based innovation projects between industry and university leverage competitiveness in the global market, while providing scientific knowledge and value for society
This study aims to contribute to the understanding of this challenge by answering two research questions that target the main challenges in University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) projects: (1) how can strategies and objectives to meet both partners’ expectations be defined? (2) how to facilitate the projects to amplify the creation and exploiting of knowledge
The proposed model reflects the necessity of several aspects to support the knowledge creation process in the UI context—ones that are not considered by Nonaka & Takeuchi’s model: (1) commitment of resources, (2) managerial initiatives that support the creation of knowledge, and its exploitation
Summary
Research-based innovation projects between industry and university leverage competitiveness in the global market, while providing scientific knowledge and value for society. The companies studied are characterized by mechanical production in marine and maritime businesses; including producers of propulsion systems, shipbuilders, manufactures of equipment for fish factories and similar Within this industrial context, innovation occurs typically due to solving specific industrial problem based on tacit knowledge acquired from work experience, often through learning-by-doing, using and interacting, i.e., a so-called DUI-mode of innovation [3]. Innovation occurs typically due to solving specific industrial problem based on tacit knowledge acquired from work experience, often through learning-by-doing, using and interacting, i.e., a so-called DUI-mode of innovation [3] This is an important research topic since most existing UI studies are done on the scientific-technological type of innovation (STI) process in which innovation is invented by researchers for industry, and not the result of the joint activities between industry and university
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
