Stimulants of and Barriers to Co-operation between Entrepreneurs and Research Entities Engaging in Innovative Projects

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the most important factors supporting and hindering co-operation between entrepreneurs and research entities engaging in innovative projects. Co-operation is aimed at generating technical, IT, or process innovations, while the most common partners of choice for entrepreneurs are research entities that are part of universities. Decisions concerning such co-operation should be based on three key factors: analysis of the company's potential, forecasting of future possible outcomes and information on funding opportunities. These assumptions are the basis for diagnosing the barriers that lead to the abandonment of co-operation. Factors that facilitate such co-operation are also identified.