Knowledge transfer between actors in the innovation system: a study of higher education institutions (HEIS) and SMES

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how and why small to medium enterprises (SMEs) access knowledge from external actors in general and from higher education institutions (HEIs) in particular and what is the extent to which these knowledge access pathways affect SME innovativeness. Design/methodology/approach – The paper involved both quantitative and qualitative approaches: a survey of 1,226 SMEs and a mini case study to follow-up on issues arising from the survey analysis. Survey data were analysed using both non-parametric and multivariate Poisson regression analysis. The case study was based on a medium-sized manufacturing firm in South Australia. Findings – While there are significant differences between the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, the evidence suggests that SMEs generally use “generic” university–industry knowledge transfer pathways (e.g. published research results) rather than university–industry links with high “relational” involvement. More significantly, the results indicate that SMEs are more likely to rely on organisations other than universities and related R&D enterprises for knowledge acquisition like clients/customers or suppliers. While collaboration is most likely to occur within the same state/territory, or Australia, many SMEs also collaborate internationally, usually as part of normal supplier–customer relationships, reinforcing knowledge acquisition from organisationally proximate partners. These findings are also supported by the case study. Research limitations/implications – This research was limited to surveying SMEs in one geographic (metropolitan) region in Australia. It also does not account for the different patterns of HEI–SME interactions in different industry sectors. There is also only one case study. Originality/value – First, the research adds to the few field studies that have investigated accessing knowledge for innovation among SMEs. Specifically, the research contributes to an understanding of the heterogeneous roles that different actors play in facilitating knowledge access for improving innovative SMEs outcomes. Second, the research does not treat all SMEs similarly in terms of size effects but instead accounts for differing SME sizes and how this affects their selection of knowledge access pathways. Third, the research contributes to a small number of studies that attempt to understand how HEIs and SMEs can work better together in the context of a regional innovation system, especially one that is relatively less competitive to the larger economy.

Knowledge management in consultancy-involved process improvement projects: cases from Chinese SMEs

“…This study investigates the practical issues associated with KM in consultancy-involved process improvement projects in SMEs. As acknowledged by Chen et al (2006), de Zubielqui et al (2015 and Pillania (2008), SMEs often need to seek external learning sources due to their resource constraints. In this study, SME owners employed consultants to help them learn new knowledge of process improvement practices.…”

“…The relatively low level of specialisation in SMEs means they may lack adequate expertise to conduct KM activities (Wong and Aspinwall 2004). It is therefore important for SMEs to use external knowledge sources such as business partners and management consultants to facilitate their KM processes (Chen et al 2006;Chirico 2008;de Zubielqui et al 2015;Liao and Barnes 2015;Pillania 2008;Zhang et al 2006). For this study, we focus on the practical KM issues encountered by SMEs when involved in consultancy projects.…”

Australian manufacturing industry: a 20-year scoping study on barriers, opportunities and trends for its strategic development

“…We examined the references of the remaining 84 articles to check for relevant works frequently cited but not yet added in our review. The quantitative analysis of references did not result in the inclusion of any study, and the literature portfolio used in the study comprised these 84 studies (Abbott, 2019;Athukorala et al, 2017;Baird et al, 2011;Barnes, 2017;Beaumont, 2005;Beer, 2018;Black et al, 2015;Boaden & Sims, 2000;Boer et al, 2005;Caldera et al, 2018;Cantù et al, 2015;Clibborn, 2012;Cooney;Correia et al, 2020;Craik, 2015;Cripps et al, 2009;Dargusch & Ward, 2010;Feng et al, 2008;Fraser et al, 2013;Given, 2017;Grodach & Martin, 2020;Hasan et al, 2011;Hu et al, 2019;Jackson et al, 2018;Jayaram et al, 2014;Joiner et al, 2009;Jones, 2005;Karim et al, 2008;Kiridena et al, 2009;Le & Valadkhani, 2014;Leahy et al, 2010;Lo & Power, 2010;Lobo et al, 2009Lobo et al, , 2012Lobo et al, , 2018Logue et al, 2015;Low et al, 2007;Marks, 2009;Mo, 2009;MoosaviRad et al, 2014;Nelson et al, 2007;…”

Knowledge transfer and university-business relations: Current trends in research

“…The comparative analysis between the contribution to the regional economic development made by universities in the United States and the European Union, based on empirical studies, is the subject of analysis by several authors, who have concluded that the common aspects that promote KT are: the proximity of the universities to businesses and the skills of the professors and within the academic discipline, in which the regional colleges have a significant influence, given their economic conditions, recognizing that regional economic development is perceived as a social responsibility of the educational institutions in the globalized knowledge economy (Goldstein et al, 2013;Urbano & Guerrero, 2013;Guerrero et al, 2014;Corral et al, 2015;Bellucci & Pennacchio, 2016;Guerrero et al, 2016).…”