A framework to improve university–industry collaboration

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to improve the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration (UIC). This work enhances the existing body of literature and knowledge regarding collaboration and offers concrete steps to be taken for effective collaboration between universities and industries.Research MethodologyA literature review to study the best practices, impediments to collaboration and the various models proposed in the past for successful UIC was conducted. A workshop and focus-group meetings of practitioners and academic researchers was designed and organised to explore the current state of the university–industry engagement within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) region and gather inputs regarding possible approaches to improve collaboration. The findings from the literature review and the results from this qualitative research regarding the approaches to improve the effectiveness of the collaboration were analysed.Results and implicationsThe study discovers that various measures have been proposed in the form of best practices or models to improve the effectiveness of UIC. However, these measures often address a specific concern such as technology transfer, intellectual property (IP), etc. There is a scope for a comprehensive holistic framework to address many aspects of UIC in order to improve effectiveness and achieve success. A framework for improving the effectiveness of collaboration considering a comprehensive list of factors operating in a broad context within the collaboration system was proposed.Originality/valueThe framework builds on previous literature dealing with measures for successful UIC. However, it is the first of its kind, in the researcher's knowledge, in terms of comprehensiveness of the factors contributing to establishing and sustaining successful collaboration. The value of the individual experience of the participants in this qualitative research, which is on average more than 10 years in the software engineering field, validates the importance and quality of the data collected. The addition of these results to the framework increases its validity.The framework can be utilised by universities and industry practitioners to foster successful and effective collaboration. The results have significant relevance, particularly within the Australian context as the government has intensified the adoption of measures to encourage and improve collaboration between universities and the industry.

Cooperation of Agri-Food Clusters With Universities: The Case Study for Poland

“…The successful academic leadership focuses on long-term strategic partnerships with a shared vision and strategy to achieve goals. The key individuals with an understanding of both academic and business worlds are the driving force behind successful partnerships (Awasthy et al, 2020;Kaloudis et al, 2019). When mutual understanding and ability to overcome the barriers are more potent than cultural and organisational differences, tensions, and conflicts, then expected outcomes are possible including mainly obtaining necessary resources and generating synergies of UCC (Table 1).…”

Factors Affecting Effective University Industry Collaboration During the Development Research Stage

“…Based on an Audi and Technical University of Munich's case study, it was found that both partners had developed an efficient communication protocol, whereby they frequently met and communicated with each other in order to ensure a smooth and well-collaborated project (Edmondson et al, 2012). This finding was supported by Awasthy et al (2020), who advocated that both partners should utilise diverse communication platforms, such as face-to-face, and mobile and digital media communication to enhance their engagement in collaborative projects. They emphasized that the partners should meet and talk regularly to ensure a smooth collaboration process, as the progress of collaboration should also be communicated and monitored in each stage of collaboration.…”

“…Besides, it can provide clear guidelines and acknowledge the stakeholders' responsibilities, thus enhancing understanding about their roles and responsibilities. These aspects about the importance of an IP policy has been supported by Awasthy et al (2020). They have emphasized that a clear IP policy would help reduce legal issues arising from conflicts in a collaboration.…”

“…In the context of collaboration, financial rewards would encourage researchers to implement a project effectively, for example, the project would be accomplished according to the deadline and at the same time meet the research goals and objectives. As suggested by Awasthy et al (2020), universities should establish an incentive system to recognize the efforts of academicians involved in collaborative activities with industry. This type of strategy should be encouraged because the incentive could act as a powerful motivation and encourage the development of a more effective collaboration.…”

Empowering Professional Competence and Moral Responsibility for Corporate Sustainability: Insights from Industry and University Strategic Alliance

“…In addition, the significant approach in empowering the sustainable development through strategic partnership engagement in determining an important instrument to adopt the positive feeling involved with optimistic mechanism progression to achieve the societal balance. Through the critical mechanism on considering the initiative of sustainability enhancement, the commitment on expanding the rise of partnerships in the setting of societal steering mechanisms could be initially incorporated with self-control management systems in enabling the accessibility of decision making policy to open recommendation for new progress initiative reform [93]. The variety of joining the cooperation along with the environmentally sustainable concern should be provided with the new arrangement assigned into the distinctive engagement process for strategic mechanisms in achieving the goal achievement.…”