Motivations and obstacles to university industry cooperation (UIC): a Mexican case

Abstract

Within the context of linkage between universities and the productive sector in Mexico, this article seeks t o answer the following questions: i) which are the principal motivations for researchers at universities t o carry out technological research and t o seek ties t o industry? ii) which are the main motivations for industrial entrepreneurs t o establish cooperation with universities to develop technology? and iii) which are the main barriers t o a healthy relationship between both institutions? Our answers are based on data from t w o sources: (a) an exploratory survey of 31 researchers at the National University of Mexico and of 28 Mexican entrepreneurs, half of whom had previous experience in collaborative projects; and, (b) a subsequent panel discussion among questionnaire respondents designed t o elicit in-depth qualitative data concerning motivations and obstacles t o university-industry cooperation.The authors present the factors identified in the study as key elements in the development of liaisons between the t w o sectors in Latin American countries, and argue the need t o rethink our conceptions of motivations and barriers within a theoretical framework of interinstitutional communications and organizational cultural change.

Does context matter in academic entrepreneurship? The role of barriers and drivers in the regional and national context

“…The role of… university and business culture (Bruneel et al 2010;Rosenberg and Nelson 1994). Their priorities as far as time orientation and market orientation differ to an extent that while scientific institutions seek to advance in its own interest, pace and using its own methods of validation and reward, whereas business focuses more on practicality, profits and commercial results (Bruneel et al 2010, Lopez-Martinez et al 1994, leading to substantially differing expectations.…”

“…From the economic perspective, cooperation with industry enables universities and academics in particular, to diversify their funding resources (Lopez-Martinez et al 1994) and provide a strategy to respond to the pressure of governmental cuts in public funding and governmental rethinking on the allocation of public support of research in general (Morris 2000).…”

Knowledge transfer in academia: an exploratory study on the Not-Invented-Here Syndrome

“…As research conditions in industry and academia differ with reference to various aspects like long-term orientation, goals or reward system, it is necessary to consider specific characteristics of university research (López-Martínez et al 1994;Cyert and Goodman 1997;Amabile et al 2001). Concerning the antecedents of NIH, injury of group pride takes a unique position.…”

Technological trajectories as moderators of firm-level determinants of innovation

“…The third subset goes beyond the collection of information and refers to the cooperation of the firm with third parties such as universities and research institutions (Bonaccorsi & Piccaluga, 1994, Lopez-Martinez et al, 1994; public and private consultants (Pilogret, 1993, Bessant & Rush, 1995; other firms in the form of joint ventures (Rothwell, 1992, Alter & Hage, 1993, Swan & Newell, 1995 or licensing (Lowe & Crawford, 1984); and financial institutions as a source of venture capital (EUROSTAT, 1996). The absorption of public technology funds is another potential determinant of innovation (Smith & Vidvey.…”