Universities and the knowledge triangle policy in new EU member states: the case of the Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper explores the cooperation between universities and companies using the knowledge triangle concept and identifies factors that significantly influence this cooperation. In particular, this paper analyses national knowledge triangle policies and instruments and explores how national priorities, goals and measures are reflected in the behaviour of universities. The empirical analysis is based on a combination of a desk research analysis and structured interviews with researchers and university vice-rectors. The analysis revealed underdevelopment of science-industry links in the knowledge triangle. Not counting small technical universities, revenue from the knowledge transfer is still a marginal funding source for research activities of the majority of the Czech universities. The low university-industry cooperation contrasts with considerable promotion of development of knowledge transfer activities in the national policy documents, and public financial support. The reason for the low collaboration lies mainly in the low interest of university management to collaborate and in the current evaluation methodology of research organisations, which favours scientific publications.