Developing collaboration structures for university-industry interaction and innovations

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the doing, using, and interacting (DUI) of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) while developing intra- and inter-collaboration with industry. It also reviews recent literature related to the roles of absorptive capacity (AC) and social capital (SC) in interaction. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case research on developing collaborations between UAS and small- and medium-sized enterprises for innovation activities. Findings – Prior knowledge and contacts vary in organisations, and interaction should be supported while aiming to maximise benefits of internal and external resources available for innovation. This paper contributes by pointing out the importance of the interconnection of DUI, AC, and SC while developing collaboration. Originality/value – This paper describes issues challenging the collaborative innovation activities and directions to focus on structural development to support interaction with parties having different backgrounds, goals, and strengths. The study highlights the importance of knowledge exchange with several universities and firms, and the different learning modes related to innovation.

HR Practices for Supporting Interpersonal Trust and Its Consequences for Team Collaboration and Innovation

“…Research concerning the organizational perspective of innovation has indicated the importance of collaboration in developing novel concepts [25][26][27][28][29]. For instance, Reficco et al [30] stated that the collaboration mechanism leads to innovation.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Social Innovation: A Conceptual Understanding

“…According to [43,22], corporate social innovation and knowledge resource leads to the introduction of superior products, processes and services that have a multiplier effects on the economic value in terms of profit maximization, market share monopoly and increase in private performance. A study by [44] also revealed on the positive effects of corporate social innovation and knowledge resource on the issues of social health. Their study found that knowledge resource leads to the establishment of superior medical products that can improves and enhance people's health and subsequently gives a significant return towards profit maximization to the parties involved.…”

Addressing Social Innovation in the Malaysian Knowledge Transfer Program: Gaining a Preliminary Insight

“…To explained further, [4] highlighted that the main underlying premise of social innovation is that knowledge resource creates a new solution into creating a highly innovative products, processes and services that simultaneously meets social, economic and technological needs and consequently leads to a new improved capabilities and relationship and better use of assets and resources and enhance quality and quantity of people's life. Specifically, social innovation includes and integrates social, economic and technological approach in order to meet the demands and pressures of new economic environment [3]. With the integration of social, economic and technological approach, there is a collective dynamic interplay that guarantees all stakeholders concerned a considerable return with regards to these three aspects [9].…”

“…However, the presence paradigm of innovation outcome that refers to technological innovation is perhaps no longer sufficient in dealing with the aforementioned issues [2]. To elaborate further, [3] stressed that, technological innovation is very much incline and focus towards private maximization that somehow gives huge advantage to the commercial driven innovation. Furthermore, according to [4], when technological innovation is adopted within a particular organization, the aspect of -social well-being‖ is somewhat being undervalue due to its nature that specifically focus on satisfying private markets.…”