University-industry Research Research Articles

Research on innovation decisions in industry-university-research cooperation based on differential games

ABSTRACT The lack of innovation power in industry-university-research (IUR) cooperation is one of the important reasons leading to low independent innovation ability in China. Considering the long-term and dynamic nature of IUR innovation effort, the differential game method is used to compare and analyse the optimal decision under four scenarios: independent R&D by enterprises and university-research institutes, tax incentives for enterprises by the government, tax incentives and subsidies by the government, and a Stackelberg game considering the internal cost subsidy of enterprises. The results show that government tax incentives can improve the enthusiasm of enterprises for cooperative innovation, while government subsidies can simultaneously improve the enthusiasm of IUR institutes for cooperative innovation and can enhance the overall benefits of both parties and even the system. When certain conditions are met based on the government’s tax incentive and subsidy policies, the innovation effort, cooperative innovation level and benefits in the Stackelberg game are optimal, and Pareto improvement can be achieved. The optimal benefits of enterprises and university-research institutes, the total benefits of the system, and the optimal trajectory of the cooperative innovation level tend to be stable over time in the four game scenarios.

Research and Practice on the Construction of Municipal Industry-Education Consortium Based on the Integration of Industrial Chain, Innovation Chain, Talent Chain, and Education Chain

The construction of a municipal industry-education consortium is one of the important measures for the “one body, two wings, and five key points” reform of China’s modern vocational education system in the new era. It is of great significance for the integrated promotion of the three major national strategies of education, technology, and talent. Exploring the construction path of municipal industry-education consortia from the perspective of “four-chain integration” is essential for improving the quality of vocational education talents, comprehensively promoting local economic and social development, and serving the national strategy of revitalizing the country through science and education. The new generation of information technology industry-education consortium in Chengdu actively explores new paths of industry-education integration, science-education integration, and vocational-education integration. It has formed a “park + alliance” to establish a diversified collaborative construction and management mechanism, a “professional + industry” school-enterprise cooperation to promote industrial transformation and upgrading, a “teaching + research and development” to build an industry-university research innovation platform to empower high-quality development, and a “cultivation + employment” to explore a matrix style talent cultivation model, thus promoting regional governments, industries enterprises, and higher education institutions. Fully leveraging complementary advantages involves capitalizing on the spatial cluster effect. It requires a foundation in the education chain, guided by the industrial chain, activation of the innovation chain, establishment of a talent chain, enhancement of the value chain, and the promotion of a modern vocational education structure. This structure should align with market demand and industry structure, ultimately promoting regional economic and social development.

How Do Heterogeneous Networks Affect a Firm's Innovation Performance? A Research Analysis Based on Clustering and Classification.

Based on authorized patents of China's artificial intelligence industry from 2013 to 2022, this paper constructs an Industry-University-Research institution (IUR) collaboration network and an Inter-Firm (IF) collaboration network and used the entropy weight method to take both the quantity and quality of patents into account to calculate the innovation performance of firms. Through the hierarchical clustering algorithm and classification and regression trees (CART) algorithm, in-depth analysis has been conducted on the intricate non-linear influence mechanisms between multiple variables and a firm's innovation performance. The findings indicate the following: (1) Based on the network centrality (NC), structural hole (SH), collaboration breadth (CB), and collaboration depth (CD) of both IUR and IF collaboration networks, two types of focal firms are identified. (2) For different types of focal firms, the combinations of network characteristics affecting their innovation performance are various. (3) In the IUR collaboration network, focal firms with a wide range of heterogeneous collaborative partners can obtain high innovation performance. However, focal firms in the IF collaboration network can achieve the same aim by maintaining deep collaboration with other focal firms. This paper not only helps firms make scientific decisions for development but also provides valuable suggestions for government policymakers.

The impact of industry-university-research projects on biopharmaceutical companies' innovation performance: moderating roles of government subsidies for innovation.

Innovation holds paramount importance for both nations and businesses. This article presents a panel regression model designed to assess the fixed effects of industry-university-research (IUR) cooperation projects on innovation performance. Furthermore, it examines the moderating impact of government innovation subsidies by utilizing data spanning from 2007 to 2021, encompassing 326 listed Chinese biopharmaceutical firms. Our findings reveal that industry-university-research-cooperation projects have the potential to significantly enhance innovation performance across three key metrics: input, output, and quality for firms. The presence of government innovation subsidies as a moderator is found to have a positive influence on IUR-cooperation projects and their innovative inputs. However, it can yield adverse effects on IUR-cooperation projects with respect to innovation outputs and quality. The insights presented in this paper introduce innovative recommendations for elevating corporate innovation quality and refining the policies governing IUR cooperation.

Research on the Group Innovation Information-Sharing Strategy of the Industry–University–Research Innovation Alliance Based on an Evolutionary Game

Based on various factors in information sharing between innovation alliance groups, this paper analyzes innovation information sharing under the influence of various factors and its evolutionary path to provide a reference for the decision-making of innovation information sharing between innovation alliance groups. Firstly, the paper analyzes the main factors influencing alliance group innovation information-sharing behavior. Secondly, based on the evolutionary game theory, an evolutionary game model of innovative information sharing under the cooperative trust degree of group decision-makers is constructed, and the related stable strategies are given. Finally, the sensitivity of innovative information-sharing strategies to key influencing factors is analyzed with the help of actual case data. The results show that a reasonable amount of innovation information sharing and fair profit distribution can improve the innovation information-sharing behavior among the industry–university–research alliance. Considering the trust degree of vertical partners, the alliance group pays more attention to the profit distribution ratio of collaborative innovation of the innovation alliance than the profit amount. When horizontal partner trust is considered, horizontal cooperation trust can promote information sharing among enterprises, universities, and research institutes in the short term but impedes information sharing among groups in the long term.

A Conceptual Framework Of The Mediating Role Of Researchers’ Commitment To The Success Of University- Industry Research Collaboration

The Triple Helix model acknowledges that the relationship between the university and industry is essential for the economy and innovation of a nation. Consequently, the government has provided numerous initiatives to encourage academic participation in joint research projects with industry. The university-industry collaboration will benefit not only the university and industry but also contribute significantly to the country and society through the development of innovative ideas and products. However, the number of research collaborations is still limited, and establishing a successful collaboration is difficult. Many collaboration projects find it difficult to achieve the objectives. Due to this issue, this study attempts to identify factors contributing to successful research collaborations using researchers’ commitment as a mediator. The success factors can assist in recognising the collaboration stakeholders (university, industry, and government) and enhancing the current practices in university-industry research collaboration in Malaysia. This enhances the effectiveness of the collaboration project, which contributes to a significant impact on the stakeholders involved.

Industry–University–Research Collaborative Innovation Mechanism in China: A Review

The main aim of this study is to analyze articles and trends relating to the industry-university-research (IUR) collaborative innovation mechanism in China; as well as determine key authors and journals focusing on this area; in addition to performing a cluster analysis of related authors and journals; analyze prominent research themes; and also understand the evolution of associated research hotspots. Based on a review of 451 articles linked to research on the IUR collaborative innovation mechanism in China that was obtained from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, this paper used the COOC software to analyze the co-occurrence of keywords, while the VOSviewer software was used to visualize the results of the ensuing text analysis. The results show that the research is divided into three phases as follows: the start-up phase (which is from 2007–2011), the high-speed development phase (which is from 2012-2014), and the slow development phase (which is from 2015–2022). Moreover, university and innovation-driven research, higher vocational colleges and industry-university-research-use, as well as innovation and IUR collaborative innovation research, and the evolutionary game and government-industry-university-research were the four main research themes that were identified in the CNKI database. Thus, this evolutionary trend divulges three main clues i.e., research theory, research subjects, and research methods.

Automotive Technology and Patent Assignee in Malaysia: An Exploratory Patent

The automotive industry in Malaysia has been established for over four decades, following the introduction of the Industrial Master Plan Malaysia (IMP) in 1985, and the subsequent launching of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) aimed at driving the growth of the automotive industry in Malaysia. A key focus of the NAP was industrial research and development to promote the leadership of Malaysian automotive companies in the region. Consequently, the alignment of university-industry research with the NAP is critical in fostering innovation and advancement in automotive technology. This study employs patent analysis to investigate the university-industry research and development of automotive technology in Malaysia. The objective is to identify patent trends in automotive technology developed by university-industry, which can provide crucial insight for researchers and inventors to incorporate the latest patented technology and support future inventions.

How does industry-university-research collaborative innovation affect energy intensity in China: a novel explanation based on political turnover

As a form of integrating knowledge resources and promoting technological innovation, industry-university-research (IUR) collaborative innovation is thought to influence energy intensity reduction. However, the boundary conditions of IUR collaborative innovation affecting energy intensity have yet to be discussed. To fill this gap, we explore the impact of IUR collaborative innovation on energy intensity and the role of political turnover in its influencing mechanism, using a panel dataset of 30 Chinese provinces from 2010 to 2018. IUR collaborative innovation inhibits energy intensity, but this effect is only significant in the eastern region. Interestingly, political turnover positively moderates the inhibitory effect of IUR collaborative innovation on energy intensity. However, this moderating effect is only significant in the central and western regions. Moreover, the robustness tests provide abundant evidence to support the above findings. Finally, some policy implications are suggested.

Exploring the role of technical and financial support in upgrading the marine industrial structure in the Bohai Rim region: Evidence from coastal cities

This study examines the role of technical and financial support in promoting the upgrading of the marine industrial structure in the Bohai Rim region. Using panel data from coastal cities around the Bohai Sea from 2006 to 2020, the study applies financial constraint theory and resource endowment theory to analyze the spatial spillover of technical and financial support on the marine industry. The results indicate that technical and financial support positively affects the upgrading of the marine industrial structure. Still, technical support negatively affects coastal cities around the Bohai Sea. The study also reveals that financial support has a threshold effect, and once this threshold is crossed, the government can promote the upgrading of the marine industrial structure through financial intervention, environmental regulation, and improving market opening. The findings also suggest that upgrading the marine industry will promote local economic growth but may have a siphon effect and inhibit economic growth in surrounding cities. However, it will optimize the local environment and show a significant positive spillover effect on the environmental optimization of surrounding cities. The study's conclusions can inform the construction of cross-regional industry-university research platforms and facilitate the high-quality development of marine-related industries in the Bohai Rim region.

Development evaluation of China’s regional innovation during the deep integration process of industry-university research institute cooperation network-a perspective of change speed

ABSTRACT The dynamics of China’s regional innovation in the process of deep integration between industry, university, and research institutes is in a constant state of flux, exhibiting various characteristics such as fluctuations and shifts. This study aims to assess the development status of China’s regional industry-university research institute cooperation network from the perspective of change speed, utilising catastrophe series theory and methods such as butterfly catastrophe, dovetail catastrophe, and cusp catastrophe. Through a static time series panel evaluation, the study captures the static change speed value and trend value of the deep integration of China’s regional industry-university research institute cooperation network. Drawing on Newton’s second law of motion in physics as a reference, a comprehensive evaluation value is derived, reflecting the actual development status of China’s regional industry-university research institute cooperation network from the perspective of change speed.

Teaching benefits of multi-helix university-industry research collaborations: Towards a holistic framework

Despite universities' effort towards contributing to society and economy through multi-helix or multi-party university-industry research collaborations (UIRCs) involving industry, government and community organisations, the impact of such activities on teaching remains unclear. This paper aims to fill this research lacuna. Using a multiple case study approach, the paper provides evidence from seven multi-helix UIRCs taking place in five Indian universities. We first unveil the different roles played by individual actors from the collaborating partner organisations involved in the multi-helix UIRCs, specifically industry scientists (from the collaborating partner company), funding administrators (from the governmental funding body that sponsors the collaboration), community representatives (from the collaborating community organisation) and UIRC-affiliated academics involved in the teaching activities of the collaborating university. Then, we explain various individual-level and organisational-level conditions that enable and constrain these actors' involvement in teaching, and ultimately their efficacy. These findings help us develop a holistic framework for involving UIRC actors in teaching at partner universities.

Doing science together: Gaining momentum from long-term explorative university–industry research programs

'Doing science together' collaborations are a more intense form of university-industry interactions and are characterized by a mutual involvement and active participation of academic and company scientists in scientific research. Here, we examine the successful approach that AstraZeneca and its internationally renowned academic partners, Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University, implemented to fully unlock the potential of all parties in long-term, explorative, truly collaborative research programs. The underlying premises of these successful research programs are three collaborative governance mechanisms (3MCs) that are required that leverage the strengths of each organization: mutual collaboration; mutually beneficial science; and a mutual governance model with senior management involvement.

Industry–university–research knowledge flow in energy subjects: evolution of network structure in collaborative photovoltaic innovations

This data report collected photovoltaic patents under the Industry-University-Research (IUR) collaborative innovation perspective. The evolution of the collaborative innovation network from 2000 to 2019 was studied. The characteristics of patent holders and overall network characteristics was analysed based on Social Network Analysis (SNA), including network size and degree, network density, and network degree centrality. The SNA results show that the network size and degree have increased significantly over time. The network density has become increasingly sparse as PV technology has developed and the number of core network members has increased. Universities and research institutions is gradually shown its clustering role in leading innovations and discipline construction. H01L is the leading knowledge domains studied by the industry, university, and research institutions. F24J and F24S were the second most frequently involved knowledge domains in each stage. Furthermore, two noteworthy knowledge domains are H02J and H02S, which are related to control and regulation of power systems. This analysis provides insights into the energy subjects and knowledge domains within collaborative innovations and education.

Institutional logics in the open science practices of university–industry research collaboration

Abstract As an emerging agenda in science and public policy discourse, the open science (OS) movement has affected university–industry research collaboration (UIRC) including normative changes concerning actors’ value and belief systems. Thus, the following questions have become pertinent: what are the norms and beliefs of key actors engaged in UIRC regarding OS practices? How have the norms and beliefs led to tensions in UIRC and dynamics facilitating or impeding OS? This study explores these questions through two case studies by applying institutional logics theory as an analytical lens. Through analysing case studies concerning UIRC in Finland, a pioneer in the global OS movement, six institutional logics that are either pro- or contra-OS practices were identified: the state, market, corporation, profession, traditional trust–based community and sustainability-based community logics. The strongest tensions are between the state and market logics and between the profession and market logics. In the end of the study, recommendations are solicited for OS policymakers and practitioners based on the research findings.

Development mechanism and technological innovation of hydrogen energy: evaluating collaborative innovation based on hydrogen patent data

The identification of the technical cooperation mode in the field of hydrogen energy is of great importance in guiding technological innovation. Based on the social network analysis (SNA) and spatial network method, this paper constructs the technical cooperation graph of China's industry-university-research (IUR) tripartites in the field of hydrogen technology. Based on the performed graphs, it shows the game and evolution of hydrogen technology innovation in three stages, respectively 2000–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2019. Meanwhile, this paper calculates the changes of network indicators and found that: (1) the network density showed a downward trend, from the initial 0.062 to 0.003. (2) The degree centrality of the network decreased from 14.7% to 5.7%. (3) The average path length and clustering coefficient indicate that the internal connections within the network were relatively close from 2000 to 2010, and had small-world characteristics. From 2016 to 2019, although the clustering coefficient increased, the average path length also increased significantly, indicating that the internal connections of the network did not become closer. From the network characteristics, the collaborative innovation network of China's hydrogen energy industry continues to expand in scale and scope, and the cooperation relationship is stable. However, it shows the characteristics of low network density and loose cooperation relationship, gradually developing into a scale-free network. Developed provinces and cities in North and East China occupy core positions in the industry-university-research network, while other regions are gradually expanding their cooperation efficiency; however, the overall cooperation frequency is relatively low in Northeast China, and most provinces and cities in South and Northwest China are in edge positions with poor collaboration capabilities.

Understanding how value, power and expertise circulates in (creative) knowledge exchange programmes

This paper uses the South West Creative Technology Network (SWCTN) in the South West, UK, as a case study to examine the diverse economies evident in knowledge exchange (KE) programmes delivering university-industry research and development (R&D). Counter to normative measures of success for KE programmes such as key performance indicators, and moving beyond evaluations that discount the diverse impacts of these programmes at interpersonal- or cross-sectoral- levels as ‘intangible’ or ‘spillover,’ this paper takes a cultural ecology perspective to deliberately make tangible the emergent dynamic relationships and multiple forms of value that KE programmes support and produce, and the wider implication of these for building regional creative sector capacity and cultural value. It highlights the multi-directional types of KE that happen between universities, creative industries and other sectors. It complicates linear models of innovation funding. The author draws on empirical data from interviews, surveys and ethnographic observation made possible through being embedded within the programme’s delivery team. The paper critically assesses the expertise and power that circulate, finding that the goals and ethos, as well as the economic and non-economic values in the programme created tensions, problems of inclusion, and contradictory notions of success for the delivery team and for participants.

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.

Effect of innovative-city pilot policy on industry–university–research collaborative innovation

The study applies the social cooperation network and multi-period DID to identify the conduction path and effect of innovative-city pilot policy on IUR collaborative innovation in 26 YRD cities during 2005–2020. The IUR collaboration innovation has made significant progress in YRD. Simultaneously, the IUR cooperative intensity and control capability of cooperative network of YRD cities have increased gradually. However, the IUR R&D efficiency and IUR transformation efficiency both haven’t reached the optimal level in YRD, and the transformation efficiency is always less than R&D efficiency. The pilot policy has a positive effect on improving IUR innovation efficiency. The policy effects for provincial capital cities are greater than those for non-provincial capital cities. Provincially, the pilot policy on IUR collaborative innovation efficiency reaches highest in Zhejiang and lowest in Jiangsu. The IUR cooperative intensity and control capability of cooperative network have partial intermediary effect on pilot policy.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between collaborative innovation and innovation performance: The role of formal and informal institutions

To cope with highly competitive business environments, an increasing number of firms are actively exploring collaborative innovation strategies. Yet, among the studies on this subject, there has been no consensus regarding the impact of collaborative innovation on innovation performance. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of 50 independent empirical samples, comprising 29,456 observations, to test the collaborative innovation–innovation performance relationship. We carried out both subgroup analyses and meta-regressions to explore how formal and informal institutions might moderate the collaborative-innovation–innovation-performance link. This work demonstrated that collaborative innovation strongly and positively correlates with firms’ innovation performance. Then, to further deepen our understanding of this subject, we examined two different collaboration types and found that supply chain (SC) collaborative innovation has a more significant impact on firms’ innovation performance than the effect produced through industry–university–research (IUR) collaborations. Furthermore, this study revealed that formal and informal institutions strengthen the positive relationship between collaborative innovation and innovation performance. This paper offers new insights for collaborative innovation research and provides important managerial implications for firms’ innovation strategies.