Industry Engagement Research Articles

Basic or applied research in university–industry collaborations? An analysis of research orientations in knowledge creation partnerships

AbstractIn a knowledge‐based economy, university–industry collaborations play a pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth. This study investigates the research orientations of these collaborations, focusing on the balance between basic and applied research. Using data from 631 collaborative projects funded by the French Cifre PhD programme, we find that most projects emphasize basic research (61%), contradicting the common expectation that industry‐led partnerships primarily focus on applied research. Importantly, our analysis reveals that this preference for basic research is not contingent on traditional contextual factors such as scientific discipline, company size or university type. These findings challenge established assumptions in the literature and suggest that even in industry‐sponsored research, fundamental inquiry is critical in supporting long‐term innovation strategies. This paper contributes to the understanding of research orientations in university–industry collaborations and offers practical suggestions for enhancing these partnerships and informing research policy. Additionally, we outline a research agenda for further exploration of the factors influencing research orientations, the impact of early‐stage industry engagement and the role of policies in shaping collaboration outcomes.

Work-integrated learning in the humanities, arts and social sciences: where to from here?

ABSTRACT Amidst increasing pressures on Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines regarding graduate career readiness, this study examines HASS student participation in work-integrated learning (WIL) and its impacts on employability and short-term employment outcomes, using data from the Australian Graduate Outcomes Survey from 2020 to 2023. The research examined the extent of participation across WIL types (work-based, non-workplace and global) and its influence on graduates’ perceived employability and employment outcomes (full-time employment and perceived overqualification), while investigating demographic differences using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models. Results indicated rising WIL participation yet identified disparities by activity type and among student groups. Work-based WIL (e.g. internships) was the most effective type for enhancing employability and facilitating transitions into professional roles and work aligned to degree study. Non-workplace WIL (e.g. projects), while beneficial for skill development, showed limited impact on immediate employment outcomes and there was relatively low participation in global WIL (e.g. industry study tours) across all discipline groups. The study illuminates the need for more inclusive WIL programmes and flexible models to accommodate diverse student needs. Recommendations for HASS faculties include integrating career development learning, optimising industry engagement and providing targeted support for underrepresented groups. By aligning WIL experiences with emerging labour market opportunities, HASS faculties can prepare graduates for successful careers, addressing both individual aspirations and broader economic needs. Future research regarding WIL in HASS could focus on postgraduate participation and industry perspectives on scaling programmes to ensure initiatives effectively bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAINING SESSIONS USING THE DUAL EDUCATIONAL FORM IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The dual educational form integrates academic learning with practical training, combining the resources and opportunities of both educational institutions and industry partners. This model has been increasingly adopted in professional educational institutions to enhance students' skills and employability. This article explores the mechanisms, benefits, and challenges of the dual educational form, and provides practical recommendations to optimize its effectiveness in training sessions. The research identifies key factors such as curriculum alignment, industry engagement, and student motivation as critical to the successful implementation of this educational model.

Design Project Classroom: Fostering Industry-Ready Industrial Designers through Academic-Industry Collaboration

As the demands of the job market continue to evolve, it becomes imperative for educational institutions to equip students with the necessary skills and competencies to thrive in their respective industries. This article explores the implementation of a design project classroom as an innovative approach to preparing students for the job market, specifically in industrial design. The research employs the method of participant observation combined with interviews to gain valuable insights from industry professionals and student participants. Collaboration with industries is integral to this research, where it enables students to engage directly with real-world design challenges and obtain expert guidance. By leveraging the expertise and resources of these partnerships, this project aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry expectations. The results of this study showcase several key elements that students need to master before graduating, identified through feedback from both students and mentoring companies. The findings underscore the significance of hands-on experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry engagement in preparing students for successful careers as industrial designers. The positive feedback received from both students and industry partners affirms the effectiveness of this approach in grooming students and enhancing their readiness for the job market. This article contributes to the literature on design education, and the insights provided serve as a foundation for educators and institutions seeking to enhance their design programmes, ensuring that students are adequately equipped with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience to enter the job market.

Energy substitution possibilities and technological progress in Pakistan's industrial sector

Considered high-energy intensive, Pakistan's industrial sector has seen an upwelling in its energy use, reaching 19.74 million tons of oil equivalents in 2021, which is about 37% of Pakistan's total energy consumption. This has made the industry a major contributor to CO2 emissions and related contaminants. This research has tried to analyze the possibilities for factor substitution between energy and non-energy factors in the industrial sector by applying a trans-log production function. For the multicollinearity problem, ridge regression was used. The results show that (i) all the inputs are increasing return to scale; (ii) the measured substitution elasticity between gas-coal and oil-gas is about 0.901 and 0.953, while capital-oil, capital-gas, capital-coal, and labor-oil stands at 1.231, 1.088, 1.045, and 1.404. This is a strong sign that allocating more capital and labor to Pakistan's industrial sector instead of energy will be dynamic for sustainable development. (iii) oil-electricity consumption and electricity add to only a little share of energy by 0.378 because oil import has declined (about 15%) as a whole and imported electricity increased (5.53%), which gives the potential for primary interest, and (iv) technological progress is estimated between −0.051 and + 0.03 between energy inputs. The input of coal vs gas is a faster substitute with their relative difference in technological progress, while coal vs electricity also presents evidence of convergence. Our findings recommend robust policies, technological advancements, and industrial engagement for fostering energy efficiency towards a sustainable production system and contributing to an environmentally aware and efficient economy.

Exploring the effectiveness of employee engagement strategies in the manufacturing industry: a South African perspective

The paint manufacturing sector has not received sufficient attention, having its unique challenges with employee engagement, despite numerous investigations on employee engagement in several industries. This study seeks to address this deficiency by performing a targeted investigation on the levels of employee involvement within the paint manufacturing sector. This study aims to assess the level of employee involvement in the paint manufacturing industry in South Africa. This study systematically assesses the strategies and practices of employee engagement implemented by paint manufacturing companies operating in the region. This study utilises a mixed methods approach and follows an exploratory research design to accomplish its objectives. This methodology utilises many research techniques to provide a thorough understanding of the complex employee engagement processes in the paint manufacturing industry. The survey instrument, comprising of 320 questionnaires, was distributed to managerial professionals, human resource practitioners, and general employees working at paint production plants in South Africa. In addition to collecting quantitative data, interviews were undertaken to further enrich the depth of insights. The findings reveal a beneficial and interconnected link between the factors studied, suggesting a reciprocal strengthening that enhances employee engagement. Moreover, the study highlights the complex interconnection between the six aspects of employee involvement in the company environment. These characteristics jointly contribute to the fundamental aspects of employee engagement within paint manufacturing firms. Industry stakeholders should work together to develop an organisational culture that is deeply ingrained in the industry's identity and resonates with all personnel. One key remedy suggested is to conduct an employee engagement survey across the entire organisation, which will help gain a thorough understanding of engagement dynamics. This study highlights a strong association between employee engagement, departmental affiliation, racial demographics, and age groups. Therefore, organisations can improve workplace engagement by carefully taking into account the impact of departmental divisions, racial origins, and age cohorts on the overall engagement picture. The study's findings shed light on the significant influence of these factors in determining the dynamics of employee engagement.

Curriculum renewal to enhance the acquisition of professional skills and engagement with professional practice across engineering programs

ABSTRACT Engineering students must develop professional practice skills such as critical thinking, empathy, communication, teamwork, and lifelong learning throughout their studies. These skills prepare them for addressing complex global problems in their professional careers. It is essential to systematically develop and embed professional practice skills in engineering programs and to support students through their development. Many institutions update their programs by embedding targeted interventions at strategic learning points. However, this process can be challenging as it is often done in a context with diverse stakeholder views, limited resources, and institutional processes that may not be conducive to change. This paper presents a model for curriculum renewal, developed in partnership with academic staff, professional staff, students, and industry. A significant aspect of this renewal focused on creating flexible pathways to meet professional practice accreditation requirements. The evaluation discussed in this paper examined the effectiveness of these flexible pathways. The curriculum renewal resulted in the evolution of engineering degrees, introducing a professional practice program that met accreditation requirements. This program supported students in advancing and reflecting on their professional skills and industry engagement. The results demonstrated a positive impact on students. This model could be adopted and adapted for other related degrees.

Examining the Insurance Industry's Role in the High-Quality Development of "Healthy China"

This study investigates the role and challenges of the insurance industry in the high-quality development of "Healthy China." This study begins by outlining the background and objectives of the Healthy China strategy. Subsequently, through a literature review and case analysis, it explores the historical roles and development of the insurance industry in the healthcare domain, as well as its positioning and responsibilities within the Healthy China strategy. The study further analyzes the practical engagement of the insurance industry in the construction of Healthy China, including innovations and promotions of health insurance products, and collaborative models between insurance institutions and healthcare services. Additionally, the study identifies challenges faced by the insurance industry in contributing to Healthy China, such as market development bottlenecks and issues related to product design alignment with market demands. Finally, drawing from case studies, this study proposes recommendations to enhance the penetration and coverage of insurance products, strengthen collaboration between insurance and healthcare institutions, and innovate insurance products and service models, outlining future development prospects for the insurance industry in contributing to Healthy China.

Tobacco Industry Engagement in the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee E-cigarettes Inquiry

Background: A now extensive literature has documented political strategies of healthharming industries (HHIs), but little is known about their engagement with Parliamentary select committees. Recent investments by trans-national tobacco corporations (TTCs) in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has raised concerns that industry actors may be using these to re-engage policymakers in ways precluded by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3. Methods: This article examines tobacco industry engagement with the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee (STC) inquiry into electronic cigarettes. It draws on a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with committee members and support staff (n=4) triangulated against written and oral evidence submissions. Results: TTCs featured prominently in the STC inquiry via written and oral submissions. Opportunities existed for industry engagement, and potential influence, at each stage of the process. There was an absence of oral testimony from those sceptical about the potential health benefits of ENDS. The governance mechanisms in place for select committees appear inadequate for protecting committee work from industry influence. As it relates to TTCs, this has implications for the UK’s commitments under FCTC Article 5.3, yet understanding of the FCTC and the requirements of Article 5.3 compliance within the committee were limited. Conclusion: The governance of select committees requires urgent reform in order to balance norms of openness and participation with the need to protect their work from power of economic actors with conflicts of interest. This is particularly the case in relation to TTCs and adherence to FCTC Article 5.3. These findings are of relevance to other select committees whose work affects the interests of HHIs. Further research is needed on other committees and sectors.

Malaysian homestay experience programme: A qualitative investigation on operator's crisis management practices and resiliency strategies

Understanding the specific crisis management practices and resilience strategies homestay operators adopt during a crisis is critical. Currently, it is an area that remains under-researched despite the growing importance of resilience in community-based tourism operations. As such, this study investigates the crisis management practices and strategies for resiliency that homestay operators adopt during a health crisis. This qualitative study has been conducted via semi-structured interviews among ten prominent homestay operators in Malaysia. The thematic data analysis using an inductive approach was employed to ensure the transferability of the findings. The study found that marketing initiatives, pandemic prevention measures, maintenance practices, and government assistance were the best crisis management practices homestay operators could implement during the pandemic phase. Homestay operators have adopted four resilience strategies to survive after the pandemic: for other creative business opportunities, government assistance, use of technology innovation, togetherness in mitigating the pandemic, and industry engagement and collaboration. The results provide comprehensive strategies to the policymakers and industry stakeholders to strengthen homestay businesses in the future. Such understanding enables government efforts to maintain CBT sustainability, which is in line with the National Tourism Policy (2020–2030) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The results are also expected to assist homestay operators in re-strategizing and striving toward recovery and resiliency after the crisis.

Embedding entrepreneurship and technology literacy in the student curriculum: A case study of a module for real estate students

ABSTRACT Ensuring a pedagogical emphasis on practical entrepreneurial experiences and technology literacy is essential across all educational stages. This paper presents a pioneering case study of curriculum innovation in higher education, specifically within real estate and planning programmes. The ‘Managing Change in the Real Estate Sector’ module is examined as a transformative initiative that integrates entrepreneurship and technology literacy in a subject-specific curriculum. Leveraging experiential learning principles, the module design addresses industry demands and aligns with contemporary educational paradigms. The systemic impact of the module is explored at the student, curriculum, and wider university levels. The study reveals positive outcomes, marked by enhanced student satisfaction, skills development, and industry engagement. The impact extends beyond the classroom, influencing curriculum design and receiving commendation at both internal and external levels. The paper concludes by discussing the broader implications for higher education, emphasising adaptability and innovation.

A Study on The Relationship between Coaching Styles towards Work Engagement in Artificial Intelligence Industries

An organisation with a large workforce from a variety of backgrounds collaborates on various projects with different groups of individuals in order to achieve specific goals. Employers who develop coaching relationships with staff members may create high-quality results. According to this viewpoint, an employee who is receiving excellent training or coaching will be able to interact with the tasks assigned successfully in order to meet the organisational aim. The objective of this study is to examine how managerial coaching, executive coaching, and group coaching relate to work engagement in artificial intelligence during the COVID-19 season. It is obvious that the best coaching methods, including managerial coaching, executive coaching, and group coaching, will boost employee involvement, excitement, drive, and motivation while producing great results. 110 personnel of the artificial intelligence business are involved in this study. For data gathering in this study, a survey was used as a quantitative method. In order to analyse the data for this study, Pearson's correlation coefficient and the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPPS) version 29.0 were both employed. The findings indicated that executive coaching has a high mean average of 3.96 and a significant link (r=0.856, p=0.01) between executive coaching and work engagement. Despite the study's shortcomings, the empirical findings contribute to our understanding of job engagement and purpose in public organisations. Consequently, training is essential in an organisation.

BRIDGING THE GAP: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA COLLABORATION IN ARCHITECTURE

This study delves into the ever-needed symbiotic relationship between industry and academia within the architecture domain, clarifying the benefits, and challenges of their collaboration. The multifaceted dimensions of industry-academia collaboration in architecture focuses on the interns' enhancing their understanding during training, fresh graduates' grasp of technical know-how at their first job, and the role of innovative industry partnerships in problem-solving and future building. Through a mixed-method research approach, the paper examines the perceptions of architectural interns and fresh graduates on the effectiveness of educational preparation, their technical know-how and their creative proficiencies encountered in their initial professional roles. Innovative partnerships between industry leaders and academic institutions are further evaluated to unveil the collaborative efforts in addressing contemporary architectural challenges and innovations. The findings suggest a significant discrepancy between academic training and industry requirements, indicating a need for curriculum reform and an enhanced framework for continuous collaboration. This study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the transition from academic preparation to professional practice but also presents practical implications for curriculum development and strategic industry engagement.

Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing K-12 Technical Vocational Tracks: A Comprehensive Review

The integration of Technical Vocational Tracks (TVET) within the Philippine K-12 education reform represents a transformative shift. This article conducts an in-depth review of the challenges and opportunities of embedding TVET within the Philippine education system. Using a comprehensive research approach, including literature analysis, surveys, interviews, and document scrutiny, this study explores the complexities of K-12 TVET. Key stakeholders, including educators, students, policymakers, and industry leaders, contribute diverse perspectives. Challenges encompass curriculum-industry alignment, resource allocation, teacher training, and addressing societal perceptions of vocational education. Regional disparities in access further exacerbate these issues. Conversely, opportunities arise in enhanced employability, industry engagement, entrepreneurship incubation, and diversified educational pathways. TVET can bridge skill gaps and drive economic development. This review offers a holistic perspective on coexisting challenges and opportunities in K-12 TVET, contributing to the ongoing discourse on Philippine education reform. The insights inform evidence-based policies, guide curriculum development, and shape the future of TVET within Philippine education, fostering inclusivity and national progress.

Malaysia’s National Blockchain Roadmap: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Focus, Goals, and Challenges

This Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) study examines Malaysia’s National Blockchain Roadmap 2021-2025, assessing its focus, goals, future development plans, and challenges based on text and context analysis. The study reveals that the roadmap presents a comprehensive strategy aimed at leveraging blockchain technology to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in the digital age. It emphasizes government adoption, regulatory clarity, industry collaboration, talent development, infrastructure investment, and use case exploration to lay the foundation for Malaysia to emerge as a global leader in blockchain innovation. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, Malaysia aims to streamline administrative processes, enhance transparency, and optimize resource allocation within public agencies, showcasing its commitment to digital transformation and socioeconomic development. Additionally, the roadmap prioritizes the development of a robust regulatory framework to govern blockchain usage, fostering innovation while ensuring compliance. Industry engagement is underscored with initiatives aimed at catalyzing the development of industry-specific blockchain solutions tailored to address key challenges and opportunities. The roadmap anticipates further development and expansion driven by technological advances, evolving regulatory frameworks, and industry collaboration. Based on the context analysis, the roadmap faces several challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, interoperability issues, resource constraints, lack of trust, intellectual property concerns, and competing priorities. To overcome these challenges, Malaysia needs to advance in technology, regulatory frameworks, industry collaboration, education, talent development, infrastructure investment, and use further case exploration.

Bridging The Gap Between Tourism Science And Vocational Education: Strategies To Increase Industry Relevance In Indonesia

Indonesia's tourism industry is growing rapidly, but the gap between tourism science and vocational education continues to hinder the development of quality human resources. This journal examines strategies to bridge this gap and increase industry relevance, focusing on the Indonesian context. A comprehensive literature review identified several key strategies, including: Computational Social Science Integration, Industry-University Collaboration, Executive-in-Residence Models, and Industry Engagement in Curriculum Development. The effective implementation of these strategies can increase the relevance of tourism vocational education to the industry, producing a skilled and work-ready workforce that contributes to the growth and sustainability of Indonesia's tourism industry.

The engagement of the UK construction industry towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

Purpose The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for UN member states to achieve prosperity and peace. A resilient construction industry should positively contribute to the achievement of all SDGs. Yet it is currently unclear if the industry helps or hinders SDG achievement. This research aims to explore if the industry is positively engaging with all SDGs.Design/methodology/approach This research is split into two phases. The first is an objectivist Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) of sustainability reports from the ten leading UK contractors to identify direct and indirect SDG references. The second research phase adopts a subjectivist ontological position consisting of twenty-one semi-structured interviews with a range of construction industry project-based professionals. Narrative analysis is used to structure the interview questions and analyse the data gained.Findings Many SDGs are excluded from sustainability reports, and where discussed, only some are engaged with substantially. The SDG knowledge held by construction professionals is reduced further still, and SDG progress is rarely measured. The ambiguity surrounding the SDGs enables discrepancies between reporting and professional perceptions. There is also a lack of regard for fellow contractor collaboration through fear of reduced competitive advantage.Originality/value This paper addresses a gap in the literature between contractor SDG knowledge and action. This serves as a platform for future research agendas regarding how the SDGs can be better understood and actioned in a construction management context. For industry, inconsistencies between organisational sustainability reporting and the knowledge and awareness of staff are exposed, due to the lack of collaborative practices currently adopted.

Leadership Styles and Employee Engagement: A Management Perspective in the Service Industry

This study delves into the relationship between leadership styles and employee engagement within the service sector. Employing a qualitative approach, the research involved in-depth interviews with 50 respondents from diverse service organizations. The findings underscore that transformational leadership, emphasizing inspiration and individual development, significantly impacts employee engagement. Transactional leadership, which centers on rewards and punishments, also influences engagement, albeit to a lesser degree. Conversely, laissez-faire leadership, characterized by minimal intervention and full autonomy for employees, exhibits the weakest impact. These findings emphasize the significance of deploying suitable leadership styles to bolster employee engagement and performance in service-oriented industries. The study offers practical insights for managers seeking to cultivate effective leadership strategies, thereby nurturing supportive and motivating work environments conducive to enhancing overall organizational performance. By comprehending the ramifications of different leadership approaches, managers can better steer their organizations toward success in industries reliant on human interaction. Thus, this research not only enriches the academic discourse on leadership and employee engagement but also furnishes pragmatic guidance for practitioners in the service industry to tailor leadership practices according to their organizational dynamics, fostering sustainable growth and success.

Reliable local renewable power decarbonising offshore energy

Reliable local renewable power generation enables more environmentally and economically viable operations, to meet with the challenge of renewable energy intermittency and energy security. The Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) project support targets towards Net Zero Targets by providing a full solution to generate low carbon, cost-effective, power and communications to remote locations in the offshore energy industry. The development of the RSP system is a collaborative project led by three UK-based companies in partnership with wider industry engagement from operators and the Aberdeen-based Net Zero Technology Centre. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is set to play a key role in the energy transition. CCUS developments will incorporate all-electric subsea systems that can benefit from the RSP solution. This first of a kind integrated solution will contribute significantly to the generation of clean energy in the petroleum industry using a Wave Energy Converter and seabed battery energy storage for production control applications. The various applications that would benefit from the cost and CO2 savings from deploying the system, compared to traditional methods, include umbilical remediation, brownfield expansion, long offsets, CCUS, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle residency. For CCUS projects key advantages are a specific design catered towards simplified controls architecture (e.g. electric controls), and the ability to offer an alternative to direct current fibre-optic from shore. A full system demonstrator deployment commenced in Feb-23 and has demonstrated system capability to power subsea equipment and an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Trials continue through 2024.

Navigating work integrated learning (WIL) pathways for learners through creative media production: the Yagan Square digital tower WIL project

ABSTRACT Work-integrated learning (WIL) environments are designed to assist students in consolidating their acquired knowledge and skills, apply them to real-world settings and develop a professional identity. Promoting industry engagement and assisting students make links between what they are learning and how it applies to professional practice is one of our key roles as educators. Studies in the relationship between well-being and learning confirm the need for tertiary educators to consider how personal values, health and behaviours radically interact with skills development in the designing and implementation of our teaching and learning programs. It is an imperative we keep abreast of contemporary media practices, but also build effective networks with community and industry and generate partnerships to assist students as they navigate their way through the academy in an increasingly complex world. Informed by studio and project-based learning and experiential methodologies that facilitate student centred approaches with high levels of self-directed learning we discuss our respective pedagogical approaches to the Yagan Square digital tower project, Perth Australia, to promote student engagement with their own communities and how to work with an external organisation who also act as a client and mentors to students .