Industry, university, and innovation: Understanding the relationship between collaboration channels and firm innovation capabilities in Brazil

This study analyzes the influence of different university-industry (U-I) collaboration channels through which firms enhance their innovation capabilities. A survey was conducted with 176 Brazilian manufacturing firms. The results indicate that while U-I collaboration channels are important for building firm innovation capabilities, not all channels are equally effective. Collaboration channels based on knowledge transfer are the most beneficial for firms in terms of their impact on innovation capabilities, particularly in the dimensions of management, transaction, and development, compared to those based on innovation networks. This means that knowledge transfer through licensed technology, training, HR recruitment, and publications and reports, improve the firms’ internal process and innovation capabilities. Finally, it is important to emphasize that this study sheds light on thespecific dynamics of the interaction between two key societal actors—universities and industrial firms—in the generation and application of scientific and technological knowledge. It contributes to the broader discourse on Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, particularly within the context of an emerging economy.