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Collaboration with higher education institutions for successful firm innovation

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  • Moon, Hakil
  • Mariadoss, Babu John
  • Johnson, Jean L.

Abstract

Firms need to open up their boundaries to attain valuable knowledge from external partners because external partners can support their innovation activities by providing knowledge and resources. In this context, higher education institutions (HEIs) are an important source of innovation. Yet, despite the importance of universities, this topic has received scant academic attention. Thus, this research examines the effect of specific activities supported by universities on the innovation outcomes of firms. The study also investigates the moderating role of a firm's absorptive capacity in the relationship between universities' involvement and firm innovation outcomes. The findings show that specific types of HEI activities positively affect a firm's innovation performance, while absorptive capacity has differential effects on the relationships between HEI activities and firm innovation outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Moon, Hakil & Mariadoss, Babu John & Johnson, Jean L., 2019. "Collaboration with higher education institutions for successful firm innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 534-541.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:99:y:2019:i:c:p:534-541
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.09.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Fiona Kun Yao & Kaifeng Jiang & Danielle R. Combs & Song Chang, 2022. "Informal institutions and absorptive capacity: A cross-country meta-analytic study," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(6), pages 1091-1109, August.
    5. Aurélien Décamps & Oihab Allal-Chérif & Anne Gombault, 2021. "Fostering Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals in Universities: The Case of Sulitest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Zhang, Huili & Huang, Yibo & Xu, Lei & Cui, Xuegang & Hu, Zhonghui, 2025. "University shareholding and corporate innovation: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    7. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, En-Ze & Tang, Huimin, 2024. "Green fiscal policy and carbon emission: Enterprises’ level evidence from China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
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    9. Cottafava, Dario & Ascione, Grazia Sveva & Corazza, Laura & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Sustainable development goals research in higher education institutions: An interdisciplinarity assessment through an entropy-based indicator," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 138-155.
    10. Cao, Qinwei & Li, Yi & Peng, Huatao, 2023. "From university basic research to firm innovation: diffusion mechanism and boundary conditions under a U-shaped relationship," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    11. Cunningham, James & Hughes, Jeffrey & Hay, Allane & Greene, Francis J. & Seaman, Claire, 2024. "Bridging the divides: A case study of collective action across Scottish university business schools to support small business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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