IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/hal/journl/hal-05454253.html

University-Industry Relationships beyond Technology Transfer: the Role of Intangible Knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Plata

    (TSM - Toulouse School of Management Research - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - TSM - Toulouse School of Management - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse)

Abstract

This article explores the complexities of intangible knowledge transfer in university- industry collaborations, offering a comprehensive view of the current landscape and its future direction. Using a bibliometric and systematic literature review of 1496 articles and 20 selected studies, the research identifies key trends and patterns. Despite differences between academic and practical domains, the study finds that informal networking and personal interactions facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships, regardless of industry type, firm size, or academic specialization. The paper highlights the crucial role of intangible knowledge transfer platforms in fostering effective collaborations and advocates for streamlined protocols to enhance knowledge exchange between academia and businesses. Introducing the Unity Index, the paper provides a novel tool to analyze key authors and relationships between variables, offering new insights and opportunities for future research. This study emphasizes the critical importance of intangible knowledge transfer in university-industry relationships, addressing gaps often overlooked in traditional analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Plata, 2024. "University-Industry Relationships beyond Technology Transfer: the Role of Intangible Knowledge," Post-Print hal-05454253, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05454253
    DOI: 10.1163/21971927-bja10046
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://normandie-univ.hal.science/hal-05454253v1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://normandie-univ.hal.science/hal-05454253v1/document
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1163/21971927-bja10046?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Landry, Réjean & Saïhi, Malek & Amara, Nabil & Ouimet, Mathieu, 2010. "Evidence on how academics manage their portfolio of knowledge transfer activities," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 1387-1403, December.
    2. Aria, Massimo & Cuccurullo, Corrado, 2017. "bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 959-975.
    3. Joachim Heinzl & Ah-Lian Kor & Graham Orange & Hans Kaufmann, 2013. "Technology transfer model for Austrian higher education institutions," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 38(5), pages 607-640, October.
    4. Véronique Schaeffer & Sıla Öcalan-Özel & Julien Pénin, 2020. "The complementarities between formal and informal channels of university–industry knowledge transfer: a longitudinal approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 31-55, February.
    5. David B Searls, 2009. "Ten Simple Rules for Choosing between Industry and Academia," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(6), pages 1-4, June.
    6. Christoph Grimpe & Katrin Hussinger, 2013. "Formal and Informal Knowledge and Technology Transfer from Academia to Industry: Complementarity Effects and Innovation Performance," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(8), pages 683-700, November.
    7. Schaeffer, Paola Rücker & Guerrero, Maribel & Fischer, Bruno Brandão, 2021. "Mutualism in ecosystems of innovation and entrepreneurship: A bidirectional perspective on universities’ linkages," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 184-197.
    8. Diana Hicks & Paul Wouters & Ludo Waltman & Sarah de Rijcke & Ismael Rafols, 2015. "Bibliometrics: The Leiden Manifesto for research metrics," Nature, Nature, vol. 520(7548), pages 429-431, April.
    9. Steve Elliot, 2013. "A Transdisciplinary Exploratory Model of Corporate Responses to the Challenges of Environmental Sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 269-282, May.
    10. Spyros Arvanitis & Martin Woerter, 2009. "Firms' transfer strategies with universities and the relationship with firms' innovation performance," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 18(6), pages 1067-1106, December.
    11. Alexander Leischnig & Anja Geigenmüller, 2020. "Examining alliance management capabilities in university-industry collaboration," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 9-30, February.
    12. Bodas Freitas, Isabel Maria & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2013. "Finding the right partners: Institutional and personal modes of governance of university–industry interactions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 50-62.
    13. Paulina Becerra & Darío Gabriel Codner & Dominique Philippe Martin, 2019. "Scopes of intervention and evolutionary paths for argentinian universities transfer offices," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(5), pages 518-535, July.
    14. Alejandro Bengoa & Amaia Maseda & Txomin Iturralde & Gloria Aparicio, 2021. "A bibliometric review of the technology transfer literature," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1514-1550, October.
    15. Penan, H., 1996. "R & D strategy in a techno-economic network: Alzheimer's disease therapeutic strategies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 337-358, May.
    16. D. Schartinger & C. Rammer & J. Fröhlich, 2006. "Knowledge Interactions between Universities and Industry in Austria: Sectoral Patterns and Determinants," Springer Books, in: Innovation, Networks, and Knowledge Spillovers, chapter 7, pages 135-166, Springer.
    17. Alan Hughes & Michael Kitson, 2012. "Pathways to impact and the strategic role of universities: new evidence on the breadth and depth of university knowledge exchange in the UK and the factors constraining its development," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 36(3), pages 723-750.
    18. Birgitte Andersen & Federica Rossi, 2011. "Intellectual property governance and knowledge creation in UK universities," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(8), pages 701-725, September.
    19. Baglieri, Daniela & Baldi, Francesco & Tucci, Christopher L., 2018. "University technology transfer office business models: One size does not fit all," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 76, pages 51-63.
    20. Paulina Becerra & Darío Gabriel Codner & Dominique Philippe Martin, 2019. "Scopes of intervention and evolutionary paths for argentinian universities transfer offices," Post-Print halshs-01931319, HAL.
    21. Waltman, Ludo & van Eck, Nees Jan & Noyons, Ed C.M., 2010. "A unified approach to mapping and clustering of bibliometric networks," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 4(4), pages 629-635.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Laura Kreiling & Ahmed Bounfour, 2020. "A practice-based maturity model for holistic TTO performance management: development and initial use," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1718-1747, December.
    2. Nast, Carolin & Llopis, Oscar & Yankova, Dima & D'Este, Pablo, 2025. "Sourcing insights elsewhere: The positive influence of academic engagement on scientific impact," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. Perkmann, Markus & Salandra, Rossella & Tartari, Valentina & McKelvey, Maureen & Hughes, Alan, 2021. "Academic engagement: A review of the literature 2011-2019," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(1).
    4. Ruoying Zhou & Ning Baines, 2024. "To what extent do universities’ formal and informal knowledge exchange activities interact: evidence from UK HE-BCI survey," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 1145-1175, August.
    5. Igors Skute & Kasia Zalewska-Kurek & Isabella Hatak & Petra Weerd-Nederhof, 2019. "Mapping the field: a bibliometric analysis of the literature on university–industry collaborations," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 916-947, June.
    6. Ma, Yonghong & Li, Baoxiang, 2022. "Effect of digitalization on knowledge transfer from universities to enterprises: Evidence from postdoctoral workstation of Chinese enterprises," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Matthias Menter, 2024. "From technological to social innovation: toward a mission-reorientation of entrepreneurial universities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 104-118, February.
    8. Carlos Plata, 2022. "More than just a number of publications: Unity Index, an alternative “ranking” for bibliometric analyses," Post-Print hal-05454306, HAL.
    9. Robert Huggins & Daniel Prokop & Piers Thompson, 2020. "Universities and open innovation: the determinants of network centrality," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 718-757, June.
    10. Véronique Schaeffer & Sıla Öcalan-Özel & Julien Pénin, 2020. "The complementarities between formal and informal channels of university–industry knowledge transfer: a longitudinal approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 31-55, February.
    11. Hussain, Walayat & Merigó, José M. & Rahimi, Iman & Lev, Benjamin, 2025. "Half a century of Omega – The International Journal of Management Science: A bibliometric analysis," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    12. Hugo Palácios & Helena de Almeida & Maria José Sousa, 2021. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Service Climate as a Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Hospitality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-27, November.
    13. Wildgaard, Lorna, 2016. "A critical cluster analysis of 44 indicators of author-level performance," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 1055-1078.
    14. Adele Parmentola & Marco Ferretti & Eva Panetti, 0. "Exploring the university-industry cooperation in a low innovative region. What differences between low tech and high tech industries?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-28.
    15. Fassio, Claudio & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2014. "The Contribution of Academic Knowledge to the Value of Industry Inventions: Micro level evidence from patent inventors," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis LEI & BRICK - Laboratory of Economics of Innovation "Franco Momigliano", Bureau of Research in Innovation, Complexity and Knowledge, Collegio 201408, University of Turin.
    16. Belitski, Maksim & Aginskaja, Anna & Marozau, Radzivon, 2019. "Commercializing university research in transition economies: Technology transfer offices or direct industrial funding?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 601-615.
    17. Kim, Young-Choon & Kotha, Reddi & Rhee, Mooweon, 2024. "Do firms with technological capabilities rush in? Evidence from the timing of licensing of Stanford inventions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    18. Amara, Nabil & Olmos-Peñuela, Julia & Fernández-de-Lucio, Ignacio, 2019. "Overcoming the “lost before translation” problem: An exploratory study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 22-36.
    19. André Luis Rossoni & Eduardo Pinheiro Gondim Vasconcellos & Renata Luiza Castilho Rossoni, 2024. "Barriers and facilitators of university-industry collaboration for research, development and innovation: a systematic review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 1841-1877, September.
    20. Romero-Silva, Rodrigo & de Leeuw, Sander, 2021. "Learning from the past to shape the future: A comprehensive text mining analysis of OR/MS reviews," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05454253. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: CCSD (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.