University-industry Research Partnerships Research Articles

Faculty engagement in university-industry research partnerships: findings from a developing country

ABSTRACT University-industry research partnerships are crucial for promoting university entrepreneurship. Faculty as key instigators play a critical role in developing such partnerships. Previous studies demonstrate that faculty engagement depends on a diverse set of factors. Drawing on individual interviews with 76 faculty members from eight public and private universities in Kazakhstan, this study explores factors affecting faculty decisions to engage in industry research partnerships in a developing country. Applying the personal engagement theory, we found that despite perceiving industry partnerships as personally meaningful and being driven by extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, faculty engagement in industry research partnerships in Kazakhstan is limited. The reasons for this are faculty members’ feelings of low safety and availability caused by structural-, organisational- and individual-level barriers and challenges. We also found that some of these barriers and challenges can be more specific for developing countries that tend to have immature economies, suffer from corruption, have limited research capacity, and invest less in research activities.

Personal Engagement Theory Perspectives on Academic Engagement in University-Industry Research Partnerships in Kazakhstan

Personal Engagement Theory Perspectives on Academic Engagement in University-Industry Research Partnerships in Kazakhstan

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Environmental Policies to Reduce Citizens’ Exposure to Air Pollution

Exposure to air pollution causes significant damage to health, which leads to large economic and social welfare losses. As a result, the urgency of reducing PM2.5 levels, the main indicator of citizens’ exposure to air pollution, is gaining importance. PM2.5 is a mixture of solid and liquid particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers, that are suspended in the air. Most literature on the analysis of environmental policies is measured exclusively in CO2 targets, excluding other measurements of air pollution, and failing to analyze the effectiveness of those policies in terms of citizen exposure to air pollution. This paper reviews relevant literature and offers approaches to reducing citizens’ exposure to air pollution by comparing an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) analysis on the effectiveness of environmental policies to reduce PM2.5 emissions in thirty-three OECD countries between 1990 and 2012, grouped into R&D investment policies, economic incentive policies, and fiscal policies. Moreover, this article presents evidence that not all environmental policies are equally effective at minimizing PM2.5 and highlights successful innovation and economic incentive policies that create opportunities to invest or develop alternative forms of production. In summary, state investment policies in R&D show positive but limited results, university-industry research partnerships show highly positive indirect effects on PM2.5 levels; fiscal policies have counterproductive effects, and among economic incentive policies, only feed-in tariffs present an actual opportunity to reduce PM2.5 emissions. The empirical discoveries presented here diversify the research on environmental policies and have profound political implications. Therefore, this study provides a useful tool for environmental policymakers that aim to cut air pollution levels and reduce the human, social and economic consequences.

The role of performance measurement models in multi level alignment

Purpose – Market deregulation in the utilities sector has led to increased competition and rising customer expectations in both established and new markets. This, in turn, has forced organisations such as electricity and telecoms to make rapid, enterprise-wide changes on an increasingly frequent basis which in turn has led to problems with alignment. Misalignment can occur at many levels and can result in misused resources, loss of competitiveness, excessive cycle times, higher costs and loss of agility. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Given the lack of overarching theory, the paper begins by borrowing from contingency, dynamic capability and organisational learning constructs, to explore the role that performance measurement models can bring to improve the alignment between business strategy and functional strategy (level 1 alignment). Second, the paper analyses the role of performance measurement models in developing functional practices aligned with supply chain management (SCM) strategies (level 2 alignment). Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts an exploratory theory-building approach using four case studies. These are used as key supply chains in both established and new business areas within two longitudinal university-industry research partnerships (each of three years duration). Data from repeat interviews (n=42), focus groups (n=10), documentation and observations is analysed and forms the basis for the development of a conceptual framework and a set of related propositions. The data analysis followed Radnor and Boaden's (2004) method for analysing interpretive research. Findings – The findings show the role and impact of performance measurement models and methods on alignment at two levels, i.e. level 1 alignment – between business strategy and functional (SCM) strategy, and level 2 alignment – between the functional strategy (SCM) and SCM routines and practices. Originality/value – To date, there are few studies which explore the development of theory and practice in relation to the role and impact of performance measurement models and methods in improving organisational alignment. This exploratory theory building study makes a contribution to this gap through the development of the conceptual framework and propositions.

Korean University Researchers' Knowledge Acquisition through Research Partnerships with Companies

University-industry research partnerships (UIPs) are gaining in importance, but also create serious managerial challenges for collaboration partners. Whereas most extant research on UIPs is focused on Western countries, the firms’ perspective and on contextual factors, this study investigates the influence of relational factors which contribute to university researchers’ knowledge acquisition in Korea. An analysis of survey data on 295 university-industry partnerships reveals that pre-existing ties between university and industry partners, their degree of managerial similarity and shared project governance by companies and universities contribute to the knowledge acquisition of university researchers, whereas most contextual factors do not play an important role for their knowledge acquisition. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that Korean university researchers can enhance their acquisition of technological and scientific knowledge in UIPs by developing and maintaining a strong working relationship with company partners.

Improving the Innovative Capabilities of Taiwan's Manufacturing Industries with University-Industry Research Partnerships

The experiences gained from Taiwan’s university–industry collaborative program are presented by case studies. The framework of the university–industry partnership is presented. Both successful and failed case studies are detailed to extract the underlying understanding required to improve university–industry collaborative programs further. The capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the majority of all enterprises in Taiwan, and the various ways of improving their innovative capabilities by effectively using university–industry partnerships, are also discussed. Supporting evidence which indicates that proper partnerships are the most effective means of improving the innovative capabilities of the manufacturing industries are also detailed.

Technology-Based Economic Development in Atlanta and Georgia

This paper addresses the role that research universities can play in regional technology-based development through a detailed examination of experiences and activities in the state of Georgia. The author first assesses the achievements of the state in terms of various national performance indicators, concluding that it has made strong progress in the development of a technology-based economy albeit in a relatively small number of technology sectors and with most of the beneficial impacts limited to the state's major city Atlanta. He then looks at the role of the state's universities in this context, and the public policy initiatives that have driven the Georgia technology strategy. In particular, he discusses the Georgia Research Alliance and several of its programmes, and other formal economic development partnerships. The importance of and approach to industry extension and assistance activities, university-industry research partnerships, and technology transfer are also examined. Finally, the author looks at the wider set of public policy issues that need attention in the context of regional high-tech economic growth. As yet, there seems little connection between such growth and the reduction of income disparities, the improvement of educational participation and attainment, and the quality of the urban environment. If widespread economic development is to be achieved in a region, it may be necessary for technology strategies to take such challenges actively into account.

University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements

University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements

University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements

University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements

Cooperative Agreements University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements Bernard D. Reams, Jr.

Cooperative Agreements Get access University-Industry Research Partnerships: The Major Legal Issues in Research and Development Agreements. Reams Bernard D.Jr. Quorum Books , Westport, CT , 1986. 354 pp. $45.00 (cloth). Lawrence Gilbert Lawrence Gilbert Office of Academic-Corporate, Relations Boston University, 145 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar BioScience, Volume 37, Issue 4, April 1987, Pages 287–288, https://doi.org/10.2307/1310596 Published: 01 April 1987