Recognising “open innovation” in HEI‐industry interaction for knowledge transfer and exchange

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. AbstractPurpose -This paper aims to stimulate debate among academic and policymaking communities as to understanding the importance of social processes and open innovation contexts within existing models of knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) between higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry. Design/methodology/approach -This research was conducted through a number of case studies connected to UK HEIs and through extensive interviews with representatives of HEI, industry and policy makers over a two-year period. Findings -The results confirm that social processes are often under-explored in collaborative HEI-industry settings. The study identified seven emerging themes which are important to HEI-industry relationships: the importance of network intermediaries; flexibility, openness and connectivity of network structures; encouraging network participation; building trust in relationships through mutual understanding; active network learning; strengthening cooperation through capacity building; and culture change. Practical implications -This research raises implications for policymakers and practitioners engaged in developing KTE collaborative activities. The paper argues for greater attention to be placed upon the social processes that affect collaborative innovation and working. Policymaking in particular needs to take account of these processes as they are neither easy to establish nor sustain. Originality/value -The paper contributes to the literature on HEI-industry interactions for enhanced KTE activity and partnership working which demonstrates value to wider scholarly and practitioner readership. In the context of "open innovation", the paper argues in favour of greater attention to be paid to the social processes involved in engaging HEI academics with industry professionals. Moreover, the paper further contributes to wider perspectives on the importance of international HEI-industry research activities.

A systematic literature review of university technology transfer from a quadruple helix perspective: toward a research agenda

“…Third, they are representative of societal need and thus can increase the relevance of UTT and a University within a regional setting (Carayannis et al, 2012;Chesbrough, 2007Chesbrough, , 2011Miller et al, 2014). Fourth, the user involvement suggests an open innovation approach where knowledge from multiple stakeholders is exchanged throughout the UTT process rather than the more closed Triple Helix approach (Johnston et al, 2010). Kenney and Mowery (2014), Arnkil et al, (2010) and Cooke (2005) suggest that from an Open Innovation perspective, the normative and primarily closed innovation Triple Helix-based knowledge transfer process adds to internalisation rather than exploring more diverse forms of knowledge as sources of innovation (Cooke, 2005;Carayannis and Rakhmatullin, 2014).…”

University–industry linkages in the UK: emerging themes and ‘unanswered’ questions

“…Think global and act local (Pickernell et al, 2009a); identify key priority areas for the future (PACEC, 2012;Wilson, 2012;Mina and Probert, 2012); pay more attention to social processes and open innovation contexts affecting university-industry interactions (Johnston et al, 2010), but also to the global environment within which knowledge flows (Huggins and Kitagawa, 2012); mobilise collaborative national clusters to win global markets (Witty, 2013); embrace the 'connected university model' (build networks, nurture local clusters, promote cross-sectoral collaborations, create national and international connections), as it holds the key for future economic growth (Kitson et al, 2009b).…”

Open innovation in universities

“…publications) and managers could improve the innovation capacities of their companies. Likewise, Johnston et al (2010) also highlighted the importance of social processes and networks interactions in overcoming barriers in KTE practice. They also noted that, although in many cases relationships and synergies between universities and industry are in their infancy, a longer-term perspective must be taken to allow mutual learning and the creation of long-term knowledge communities.…”