The theory of university-industry knowledge transfer and its ability in transforming the fortunes of SMEs as well as its general applicability to driving industry growth has commanded some research interest worldwide though not much has been written of developing economies. The authors investigate the strategic contribution of academic excellence, through university-industry collaborations, in revamping SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The study commenced with a review of current literature on university-industry collaborations which provided a basis for evaluating five university-SME collaborations over a period of five years. The study found that the lack of professionalism and management incompetency in most SME organizations was undermining the contribution made by the academic institutions in promoting industrial growth in Zimbabwe. We examine the contribution of academic excellence as an engine for industrial growth in SME's in developing economies
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