University–business collaboration: A collaboration readiness index and scale

An important aspect of innovation relates to collaborations between industry and universities or research institutes. These collaborations benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs), yet they may struggle to engage in them. When collaborations do occur, SMEs are often unprepared. In response to this phenomenon, this note presents a stage-based collaboration readiness index for SMEs, coupled with a diagnostic instrument (scale) to determine where they fit on the index. The purpose is to enable SMEs, researchers, facilitators, funding bodies, and other stakeholders to better target efforts, resources, and support. We collected data from two databases, one to develop and another to confirm the validity and reliability of the scale. The resulting 5-point readiness index ranges from considering collaboration to networking, cooperating, engaging, and partnering. The diagnostic instrument contains questions that address organizational ethos and culture, capabilities and resources for collaborations, and receptiveness to work with universities and research institutes. We conclude with guidelines for using the Collaboration Readiness Index and theoretical, practical and policy implications.