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Dynamics of collaboration in university–industry partnerships: do initial conditions explain development patterns?

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  • Taran Thune
  • Magnus Gulbrandsen

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate how research partnerships between firms and universities emerge and evolve over time, focusing on the relationship between initial conditions and development trajectories. Based on literature on alliances and a comparative case study, the paper presents propositions to explore the links between initial conditions, modes of collaboration and development pathways. The empirical study indicates that there is no straightforward link between initial conditions and development of partnerships over time. Being embedded in a network makes it easier to form relationships and has a positive influence of the early, set-up phase of collaboration, but has limited impact on long term development of partnerships. The data also illustrates the weak side of networks; they are efficient mechanism for forming relationships but in some cases represent weak commitment to partnerships over time, leading to low or symbolic firm involvement and high firm exit rates. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Taran Thune & Magnus Gulbrandsen, 2014. "Dynamics of collaboration in university–industry partnerships: do initial conditions explain development patterns?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 39(6), pages 977-993, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:39:y:2014:i:6:p:977-993
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-014-9331-5
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    4. Ankrah, Samuel & AL-Tabbaa, Omar, 2015. "Universities–industry collaboration: A systematic review," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 387-408.
    5. Michael Fritsch & Moritz Zoellner, 2020. "The fluidity of inventor networks," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 1063-1087, August.
    6. Jun-You Lin, 2021. "Collaboration exploitation and exploration: does a proactive search strategy matter?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(10), pages 8295-8329, October.
    7. Ferran Giones & Kari Kleine & Silke Tegtmeier, 2022. "Students as scientists’ co-pilots at the onset of technology transfer: a two-way learning process," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 1373-1394, October.
    8. James A. Cunningham & Matthias Menter & Chris Young, 2017. "A review of qualitative case methods trends and themes used in technology transfer research," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 923-956, August.
    9. Hugo Confraria & Fernando Vargas, 2019. "Scientific systems in Latin America: performance, networks, and collaborations with industry," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 874-915, June.
    10. Adrian Rauchfleisch & Mike S Schäfer & Dario Siegen, 2021. "Beyond the ivory tower: Measuring and explaining academic engagement with journalists, politicians and industry representatives among Swiss professorss," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, May.
    11. Al-Tabbaa, Omar & Ankrah, Samuel, 2016. "Social capital to facilitate ‘engineered’ university–industry collaboration for technology transfer: A dynamic perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-15.
    12. Irene Ramos-Vielba & Mabel Sánchez-Barrioluengo & Richard Woolley, 2016. "Scientific research groups’ cooperation with firms and government agencies: motivations and barriers," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 558-585, June.

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