Page 19 - Rižnar, Igor, and Klemen Kavčič (ed.). 2017. Connecting Higher Education Institutions with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 19
Collaboration between . . .
Neely, and Walsh 2011; Bodas Freitas, Geuna, and Rossi 2013; Indarti
and Wahid 2013; Piva and Rossi-Lamastra 2013; Franco and Haase 2015).
Knowledge and technology transfer between the partners is crucial for
the success of the collaboration (Philbin 2010). Here, it is interesting
to note that the explicitness of the university’s knowledge is positively
related to the knowledge transfer between the university and the com-
pany (Santoro and Bierly 2006).
There are different ways to ensure knowledge transfer. One popu-
lar method is to use internship programmes (Ford, O’Neal, and Sulli-
van 2010); another way is to actively educate potential employees (Ro-
driguez, De Giurana, and Elías 2005; Peças and Henriques 2006). At
this conjunction, collaboration with a university can complete the com-
pany’s education programme or can add strength and credibility to it.
In particular, s m e s with lower budgets for training and h r develop-
ment can benefit from such collaboration. But the university can also
profit, for instance with on-the-job training for employees, particularly
researchers.
It is important to acknowledge that the intense knowledge trans-
fer in a university-industry collaboration can enhance the innovation
performance of both partners (MingJi and Ping 2014). As already men-
tioned in the introduction, sme s and universities have their strengths
and weaknesses. This applies in particular with regard to their knowl-
edge. On the one hand, there is the highly practical knowledge of the
needs and problems in ‘real life.’ On the other, there is the highly ad-
vanced theoretical knowledge of new scientific developments. Knowl-
edge transfer therefore might create new opportunities (Gunn and
Mintrom 2013). But knowledge and technology transfer is not as easy
as it sounds. Cultural differences (De Medeiros Rocha et al. 2012) or
different knowledge bases (Hong, Heikkinen, and Blomqvist 2010) can
hinder this process.
Conclusion
Collaboration is currently a very relevant topic. The challenges of the
international market can often only be handled in collaboration with
strong, or better still, the right partners. This trend is observable for
all institutions - public and private, small and large. At the same time,
and due to internationality and modern ways of communication, the
possibilities for collaborations have become multifarious and their im-
plementation has become easier.
17
Neely, and Walsh 2011; Bodas Freitas, Geuna, and Rossi 2013; Indarti
and Wahid 2013; Piva and Rossi-Lamastra 2013; Franco and Haase 2015).
Knowledge and technology transfer between the partners is crucial for
the success of the collaboration (Philbin 2010). Here, it is interesting
to note that the explicitness of the university’s knowledge is positively
related to the knowledge transfer between the university and the com-
pany (Santoro and Bierly 2006).
There are different ways to ensure knowledge transfer. One popu-
lar method is to use internship programmes (Ford, O’Neal, and Sulli-
van 2010); another way is to actively educate potential employees (Ro-
driguez, De Giurana, and Elías 2005; Peças and Henriques 2006). At
this conjunction, collaboration with a university can complete the com-
pany’s education programme or can add strength and credibility to it.
In particular, s m e s with lower budgets for training and h r develop-
ment can benefit from such collaboration. But the university can also
profit, for instance with on-the-job training for employees, particularly
researchers.
It is important to acknowledge that the intense knowledge trans-
fer in a university-industry collaboration can enhance the innovation
performance of both partners (MingJi and Ping 2014). As already men-
tioned in the introduction, sme s and universities have their strengths
and weaknesses. This applies in particular with regard to their knowl-
edge. On the one hand, there is the highly practical knowledge of the
needs and problems in ‘real life.’ On the other, there is the highly ad-
vanced theoretical knowledge of new scientific developments. Knowl-
edge transfer therefore might create new opportunities (Gunn and
Mintrom 2013). But knowledge and technology transfer is not as easy
as it sounds. Cultural differences (De Medeiros Rocha et al. 2012) or
different knowledge bases (Hong, Heikkinen, and Blomqvist 2010) can
hinder this process.
Conclusion
Collaboration is currently a very relevant topic. The challenges of the
international market can often only be handled in collaboration with
strong, or better still, the right partners. This trend is observable for
all institutions - public and private, small and large. At the same time,
and due to internationality and modern ways of communication, the
possibilities for collaborations have become multifarious and their im-
plementation has become easier.
17
