University-industry Interactions Research Articles

The governance of formal university–industry interactions: understanding the rationales for alternative models

This article develops a conceptual framework to explain the economic rationale underpinning the choice of different modes of governance of formal university–industry interactions: personal contractual interactions, where the contract regulating the collaboration involves a firm and an individual academic researcher, and institutional interactions, where the relationship between the firm and the academic is mediated by the university. Although institutional interactions, for numerous reasons, have become more important, both governance modes are currently being implemented. We would argue that they have some important specificities that need to be understood if university–industry knowledge transfer is to be managed effectively and efficiently.

Avaliação da qualidade demandada e diretrizes de melhoria no processo de interação Universidade-Empresa

O artigo apresenta o processo de interação Universidade-Empresa no âmbito da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), sob a responsabilidade da Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (SEDETEC). O objetivo é identificar as demandas de qualidade no processo de interação UFRGS-Empresas parceiras e propor melhorias para este processo. As demandas são identificadas com base em uma pesquisa de mercado, sendo desdobradas em características de qualidade e procedimentos para atendimento, por meio do Quality Function Deployment (QFD). Posteriormente, são propostas sugestões de melhorias para a SEDETEC. Os principais resultados são: a identificação e a priorização da qualidade demandada pelo setor empresarial; a avaliação dos requisitos e dos procedimentos que atendem a estas demandas e a proposição de diretrizes para melhorias no serviço da SEDETEC, destacando-se: ampliação e dinamização das formas de comunicação; criação de um sistema de indicadores de desempenho; e análise de mercado para as tecnologias desenvolvidas.

Profiting from Knowledge Circulation: The Gains from University–Industry Interaction

In this paper the concept of knowledge circulation is explored and placed in a social systems approach that distinguishes four types of ‘capital’: cultural, strategic, network and economic. Knowledge circulation is a form of university–industry interaction that accommodates the objectives of what are, in many respects, unequal partners and outlines the capital gains for all participants. In the final section, the implications for the internal and external marketing of science are presented.

Influence of partner diversity on collaborative public R&D project outcomes: A study of application and commercialization of nanotechnologies in the Netherlands

Several studies have indicated the importance of public R&D in the transfer and commercialization of nanotechnology. So far, few have focused on university–industry interaction and collaboration performance. In this study, we investigate the impact of technological diversity and value chain complementarity of partners on public nanotechnology R&D projects' performance. We enriched a database on the commercial outcomes of technology research projects from the Dutch Technology Foundation STW. To test our hypotheses, we selected 169 nanotechnology research projects from the database, which started in a five-year period from 1998 until 2003. Project performance was measured five years after completion of the project. Technological diversity has a U-shaped effect on the projects' commercial performance. Findings show a strong positive impact of value chain complementarity of partners on both application development and commercial performance of the projects.. The framework introduced in this study allows an evaluation of the effects of technological diversity and value chain complementarity on application development and the commercial performance of public R&D projects.

University-industry interactions in biotechnology: implications for the development of a high-tech cluster

As interactions between the academic and industrial sectors become part of the economic development strategies for local governments, understanding the manner in which technology policy instruments influence such relationships acquires more relevance for policy makers, particularly in developing economies. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study applying a grounded theory approach on university-industry interactions in biotechnology for the case of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, where the creation of a biotech cluster is part of the strategies being implemented. In-depth interviews were conducted with researchers at two of the largest private and public universities. Findings reveal motivations and challenges for both sets of participants; in addition, results show that the predominant forms of interaction are contract research and consulting. An implication for technology policy is the need to design instruments that promote project proposals scientifically attractive for researchers, and that lead to an effective transfer of technology between both sectors.

Factors affecting on collaboration of industry with University

It is well acknowledged that innovation has become a strategic source in creating sustainable competitive advantages for firms. Since innovation is increasingly related to a firm’s ability to assimilate and exploit external knowledge, firms are facing challenges of accessing knowledge and sources of innovation. One of the sources for accessing external knowledge is the knowledge generated in universities. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the literature on university-industry interactions and to identify the characteristics of firm which influence its ability in utilizing scientific knowledge transferred from universities. A number of factors are discussed which may influence the knowledge firms obtain from interactions with university researchers. They include: (1) Size; 2) Absorptive capacity; 3) RD 4) Structure; 5) Strategy; 6) Culture; and 7) Trust. It is believed that this framework can provide a useful organizing scheme for understanding the existing literature on academic research, explaining the determinants on obtaining knowledge and guiding future studies on this issue. Key words: Knowledge transfer, industry-university interactions, innovation.

The effects of interpartner resource alignment and absorptive capacity on knowledge transfer performance

Against a background of increasing international competition and rapid technological change, universities and industry have often engaged in collaboration as a means of improving cross-unit transfers of their resources, capabilities, and knowledge. Following this frontier, this study examines the effects of university and firm interpartner resource alignment and absorptive capacity on knowledge transfer performance from the university-industry (U-I) perspective. Regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 120 Taiwanese firms. The research findings suggest that, interpartner resource utilization is positively related to U-I interaction; that when the effect of a firm’s absorptive capacity is higher, U-I interaction is more favorable; and that U-I interaction is positively related to knowledge transfer performance. Our empirical results support the process-oriented view and indicate that U-I interaction plays the mediating role between resource alignment, absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer performance. The implications of this study are two-fold. First, it emphasizes the value of creative financial and general performance in knowledge transfer by incorporating the U-I interaction perspective. Second, the research results offer support for suggestions that interpartner resource alignment provides a necessary element for capacity and resource exchange. Hence, one interesting further research would analyze practical cases of some Taiwanese companies with the described approach. This is an important practical issue that should be examined in the future. Key words: Absorptive capacity, knowledge transfer performance, interpartner resource alignment, university-industry (U-I) interaction.

Institutionalization of university–industry interaction: an empirical study of the impact of formal structures on collaboration patterns

This article addresses the increasing formalization of cross-sector collaboration between universities and industry seen in the development of public funding schemes such as collaborative research centers (CRCs). This policy trend is analyzed in the article and investigated empirically, treating the organizational arrangements supporting cross-sector collaboration as a dependent variable, where the purpose is to investigate institutionalization processes through a number of case studies of university-industry collaboration. The investigation indicates that less formal, project-based collaborations, contrary to policy assumptions, often display a higher degree of institutionalization than CRCs, and that CRCs represent highly formal but weakly institutionalized frameworks of collaboration. The main reason is that centers involve several industrial partners and as a consequence CRCs represent several different modalities of collaboration at the same time. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Fostering university–industry interactions under a triple helix model: the case of Nuevo Leon, Mexico

This paper presents an empirical investigation into how academic researchers develop interactions with industry. Interviews with researchers in biotechnology in the two largest private and public universities in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, were analyzed by applying a grounded theory approach. Findings show that researchers at both universities are motivated by the social impact that their research may have. However, biotech researchers at the public university appear to be more economically driven. In both cases, the participation of the technology transfer office is perceived to be weak. An implication for technology policy is that academic researchers' motivational patterns are important for the better design of policies seeking to promote university-industry interactions at a regional level.

What are the factors driving university–industry linkages in latecomer firms: evidence from Mexico

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the drivers and modes of university-industry interaction in latecomer firms. Based on a survey conducted in 2008 and using a sample of Mexican manufacturing firms, technological and innovative effort (TIE) related factors and structural characteristics have been introduced in a set of logistic models. The results confirm that there is a positive relationship between the TIE, measured as the intensity of in-house R&D and the innovative profile of the firm, and the firm's propensity to establish linkages with higher education institutes and public research centers. TIE was also found to be significant in determining the likelihood of specific channels of university-industry linkages. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Working with distant researchers—Distance and content in university–industry interaction

This paper studies the role of geographic proximity for interaction on R&D, by exploring the special case of formalised university–industry interaction in the engineering sector. While numerous studies find that geographic proximity facilitates spillover effects between university and industry by utilising evidence from e.g. patenting and publishing activities, the geographical dimension is largely understudied in studies that report evidence from direct interaction. A series of interviews with R&D managers suggests that linkages in geographical proximity are more likely than distant linkages to generate impulses to innovation and create significant learning effects at the firm. Similarly, geographic proximate interaction is more likely to successfully contribute to R&D projects with short time to market. For long-term R&D projects, geographic proximity is generally seen as a less critical factor. A survey to 425 R&D managers in Swedish engineering firms provides evidence that supports these hypotheses.

University-industry knowledge interaction: case studies from Finland and China

The paper examines the roles of formal governance and informal social networking in University?Industry (U-I) knowledge interaction in the context of high-tech Multinational Corporations (MNCs). The issue is approached by conducting a critical literature review with empirical cases from Finland and China. Previous studies on U-I collaboration focus primarily on one-way technology and knowledge transfer. This study argues that especially in the cross-cultural context of high-tech MNCs, more interactive types of knowledge interaction should be of key concern where there are various challenges of informal governance that include, for example, interpersonal trust, mutual commitment, frequency of communication and interaction, and awareness of cultural and knowledge-related gaps between collaboration partners.

Government centrality to university–industry interactions: University research centers and the industry involvement of academic researchers

This paper uses data from a national survey of academic researchers in the US to detect how different types of university research centers affect individual-level university–industry interactions. The results suggest that while affiliation with an industry-related center correlates positively with the likelihood of an academic researcher having had any research-related interactions with private companies, affiliation with centers sponsored by government centers programs correlates positively with the level of industry involvement, no matter whether these centers additionally have ties to private companies. The analysis takes the “scientific and technical human capital” approach, which draws from theories of social capital and human capital and proves useful for framing the institutional and resource-based perspectives that characterize much of the literature on university–industry interactions. The scientific and technical human capital approach is taken because its emphasis on the research capacities of individual academic researchers provides a more direct explanation of government centrality to academic researchers’ industry involvement than provide either the resource-based or institutional views. Implications for policy and management as well as for future applications of the scientific and technical human capital approach are discussed.

E agora, o que fazer com essa tecnologia? Um estudo multicaso sobre as possibilidades de transferência de tecnologia na USP-RP

Este estudo verificou as possibilidades de transferência de tecnologia do Departamento de Física e Matemática, da Faculdade de Medicina e da Faculdade de Odontologia, instalados no campus da USP em Ribeirão Preto, para o setor de equipamentos médicos, hospitalares e odontológicos [EMHO]. O método utilizado foi o estudo de multicasos, em que se pesquisou as unidades universitárias citadas, além de cinco empresas da região da mesma cidade que integram o referido setor. O foco da pesquisa recaiu sobre as entidades universitárias, mas também foram obtidas informações junto ao meio empresarial para que se pudesse extrair uma amostra do pensamento tanto dessa classe quanto da acadêmica, no que se refere à transferência de tecnologia [TT]. Identificou-se 178 linhas de pesquisa (24 potencialmente aplicáveis no setor de EMHO) e 58 tecnologias desenvolvidas pela universidade (1 atraiu os empresários). Assim, verificou-se a existência de potencialidade de TT entre as entidades estudadas, porém, reflexões foram feitas a respeito da (1) burocracia universitária; (2) processo de patenteamento das tecnologias; (3) posicionamento da USP no mercado de venda de tecnologias; (4) razões pelas quais a academia (não) quer a interação universidade-empresa; e (5) comportamento passivo das empresas pesquisadas no processo cooperação.

Academic collaboration and organizational innovation: the development of research capabilities in the US pharmaceutical industry, 1927-1946

This article investigates the historical conditions that contributed to the birth of in-house research and development (R&D) capabilities in the early US pharmaceutical industry by examining qualitative and quantitative data on university–industry interaction between the 1920s and 1940s. This evidence suggests that labor markets, collaborative research, and contract research were the principal mechanisms by which early university science contributed to the development of in-house research capabilities in the emerging US pharmaceutical industry. This article further demonstrates a pattern in which firms with lesser R&D capabilities were generally constrained to work with local partners, while firms with greater internal R&D capabilities primarily engaged local partners for smaller-scale projects requiring generalist skills and distant partners for larger-scale efforts and extraordinary projects. We conclude by examining the implications of collaboration for those firms that did engage university academic partners. Our findings suggest that pharmaceutical firms that collaborated with universities during this period achieved higher rates of patenting and laboratory growth.

University–industry interactions in an immature system of innovation: evidence from Minas Gerais, Brazil

This paper evaluates interactions between firms and universities in Minas Gerais, one of the Brazilian states. The heterogeneity in Minas Gerais replicates the heterogeneity that exists in Brazil as a whole. This paper adapts the pioneering Yale and Carnegie Mellon surveys (USA) to an immature national system of innovation. We found that, in immature systems of innovation, beyond their traditional functions, universities perform a dual role in their interactions with firms: they substitute for and complement the research and development done by the firms themselves. In addition, contrary to conventional wisdom, even in the so-called low-tech and medium-tech sectors, universities matter. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

The Governance of University Knowledge Transfer: A Critical Review of the Literature

Universities have long been involved in knowledge transfer activities. Yet the last 30 years have seen major changes in the governance of university–industry interactions. Knowledge transfer has become a strategic issue: as a source of funding for university research and (rightly or wrongly) as a policy tool for economic development. Universities vary enormously in the extent to which they promote and succeed in commercializing academic research. The identification of clear-cut models of governance for university–industry interactions and knowledge transfer processes is not straightforward. The purpose of this article is to critically discuss university knowledge transfer models and review the recent developments in the literature on research collaborations, intellectual property rights and spin-offs, those forms of knowledge transfer that are more formalized and have been institutionalized in recent years. The article also addresses the role played by university knowledge transfer organizations in promoting commercialization of research results.

Student Centrality in University–Industry Interactions

This paper proposes a model of interactions between university scientists and the private sector in which graduate students feature as important enablers. This conceptualization proposes that students represent a dimension of scientists' research capacity which improves their ability to identify and act on industry-related opportunities, and which also makes them more feasible research partners from the standpoint of industry. The results show that university scientists' student-related behaviour, such as grant support of students and research collaboration with them, and their student-related attitudes, such as their mentoring orientation, positively affect both the probability that scientists will engage in interaction with industry and the intensity of that interaction. The implications for policy and theory are discussed.

Industry relationships of DoD-funded academics and institutional changes in the US university system

This paper describes an empirical study of the differences in industry interaction of US tenure and tenure-track academics that are funded by civilian and military funding agencies. Significant differences in industry interaction as manifested in a range of different interaction types can be observed between academics funded by Department of Defense (DoD) resources and those enjoying other non-military means of support. The policy implications of these divergent patterns of behavior in university–industry interactions will be analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, a qualitative assessment of changes in university–industry relationships in response to more stringent DoD contracting practices reveals that several types of industry interaction will be adversely affected.

Reach-in and Reach-out

This article presents an unusual case of university—industry interaction whereby a group of small businesses came together to persuade a university to establish an MSc in Pipeline Engineering.We identify that the course contributed to regional development in four ways. First, it provided graduates for local industry. Second, it linked local firms with pipeline engineers worldwide and raised the region's profile within that network. Third, it strengthened the research base of the university through the recruitment of pipeline engineers from industry and fourth, it facilitated the possibility of joint research between the university and local firms.We question whether this model is transferable to other industry sectors/universities. We conclude that this outreach activity has been shaped by the `reach-in' to the university of the local business community and propose a revised model of university interaction with regional industry.Traditionally universities have been seen as `reaching out' to regional industry and the collaborations have been viewed as being instigated by the university and often research based. Our revised model proposes an alternative mechanism whereby collaborations can be instigated by industry and through a teaching route.