A New Model for University‐Industry Links in Knowledge‐Based Economies^*

Abstract

In this paper, we apply the agent‐based SKIN model (Simulating Knowledge Dynamics in Innovation Networks) to university‐industry links. The model builds on empirical research about innovation networks in knowledge‐intensive industries with procedures relying on theoretical frameworks of innovation economics and economic sociology. Our experiments compare innovation networks with and without university agents. Results show that having universities in the co‐operating population of actors raises the competence level of the whole population, increases the variety of knowledge among the firms, and increases innovation diffusion in terms of quantity and speed. Furthermore, firms interacting with universities are more attractive for other firms when new partnerships are considered. These results can be validated against empirical findings. The simulation confirms that university‐industry links improve the conditions for innovation diffusion and enhance collaborative arrangements in innovation networks.

Agent-based Modeling for Decision Making in Economics under Uncertainty

“…In fact, the field of neo-Schumpeterian modeling started with Nelson and Winter (1982) implementing an ABM with technological competition, entry and exit, heterogeneity, autonomous decisions, and technology search. Others have implemented ABMs for the formation of supply chains and knowledge-based innovation networks (Gilbert et al, 2001), research conglomerates (Scholz et al, 2010), regional innovation systems (Korber et al, 2009), as well as industryuniversity research networks (Ahrweiler et al, 2011;Triulzi and Pyka, 2011) under operational, technological and existential uncertainties, as well as network inefficiencies. For a further discussion of issues of implementation, the reader is referred to the subsection on challenges of operationalization.…”

R&D and knowledge dynamics in university-industry relationships in biotech and pharmaceuticals: an agent-based model

“…Universities also need to be able to effectively combine the new knowledge in their research projects. As Ahrweiler et al (2011) explain, the relation between knowledge inputs and technology outputs is not linear. Different actors follow different scientific and technological trajectories, and for universities, as for any other actor, there is no guaranteed success.…”

“…This model is further refined in subsequent works in which it has been applied to study knowledge dynamics between innovation networks' agents (Ahrweiler et al, 2004a(Ahrweiler et al, , 2004b, to investigate the impact of different learning activities on agents' knowledge stocks , to highlight the persistency of cooperation activities in knowledge intensive industries and to investigate the existence and channels of knowledge spillovers among agents (Pyka et al, 2009). Further works have applied a modified version of the model to study the governance of EU-funded innovation networks (Pyka and Scholz, 2008) and to explore the role of science-technology links for innovation diffusion (Ahrweiler et al, 2011). We extend the original theoretical model to reproduce the innovation system of biotech and pharmaceutical industries, explicitly taking into account different classes of agents moved by diverse aims and rewards (universities, biotech and pharmaceutical firms), multiple channels of interactions (research collaborations, licensing and sponsored research) and different research outputs (three classes of patents and drugs).…”

“…Therefore, by building an agent-based UIRs model, we aim to provide a new dimension for the discussion of UIRs long run effects on the production of innovative new drugs based on the interaction of the different agents and on the underlying knowledge dynamics. For this purpose we draw on an extensive and growing literature about simulation models of innovation networks (Gilbert et al, 2001Pyka et al, 2002Pyka et al, , 2007Pyka et al, , 2009Ahrweiler et al, 2004aAhrweiler et al, , 2004bAhrweiler et al, , 2011Pyka and Scholz, 2008) which guided us in our research and lays the foundations of our model. The paper is organised as follows: The theoretical framework and the hypotheses to be tested are introduced in Section 2.…”

Fostering university–industry collaboration in Saudi Arabia through technology innovation centers

“…Ahrweiler, Pyka, and Gilbert (2011) have developed an agent-based SKIN model (Simulating Knowledge Dynamics in Innovation Networks) to university-industry links. Through an international case study, Abramo, D'Angelo, Costa, and Solazzi (2009) investigated public-private research collaborations between Italian universities and domestic industry.…”