Trust and dynamic governance mechanisms in the university-industry R&D alliances

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-192
Author(s):  
Somchai Ruangpermpool ◽  
Barbara Igel ◽  
Sununta Siengthai
Keyword(s):  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Informal Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Research ◽  
Thai Government ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose This paper aims to examine how the dynamic interplay of governance mechanisms of the university-firm R&D alliance reduces obstacles and enables the successful commercialization of research collaboration output. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal case research and retrospective strategy were used to collect relevant data and information in the four university-and-firm alliance teams collaborating on R&D projects in Thailand during 2008-2014. In-depth interviews and meetings were conducted with representatives of all partners and R&D project teams. Findings The authors found that formal and informal control mechanisms act as complementary forms of governance. The informal control (trust) serves as the frame of intentions whether the formal control is interpreted as a guideline or a commitment. Both formal and informal control mechanisms must be put in place to successfully and sustainably develop collaborative research into a commercial product. Research limitations/implications This study investigated four Thai government-funded research collaboration teams from a single industry. It would be worth investigating such research collaboration in other industries and those without any government funding. Originality/value This study applied an exploratory case research method which is rarely used in research on R&D alliance teams. It generates cross-functional insights on how to build trust in such R&D context, especially in an emerging economy.

Making the point? The audiovisual/digital media dissertation

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-118
Author(s):  
Coral Houtman ◽  
Maureen Thomas ◽  
Jennifer Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Film Theory ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
The University ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
And Training ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the advantages of education and training in creating the “Audiovisual/Digital Media Essay” (AV/DME), starting from visual and cinematic thinking as a way of setting up, developing and concluding an argument. Design/methodology/approach – Recognising the advantages to education and training of the “AV/DME” this paper explores ways of enabling visually disciplined students to work on film theory within their chosen medium, and to develop arguments incorporating audiovisual sources, using appropriate academic skills. It describes a hands-on BA/MA workshop held at Newport Film School (May 2011) and subsequent initial implementation of an examinable DME. The paper contextualises the issue in the light of practice-led and practice-based research and of parity with written dissertations. Drawing on analysis of in-depth interviews with students and tutors, it makes practical recommendations for how to resource, staff and support the implementation and continuation of the AV/DME and/or dissertation. Findings – The paper feeds back from both students and staff on the running of an initial AV/DME workshop and finds that the Film School Newport is suited to running the AV/DME and suggests a framework for its support. Research limitations/implications – The study needs to be followed up when the students complete their full dissertations. Practical implications – The AV/DME needs sufficient technical and human resources to support student learning. Originality/value – The paper provides a clear and original framework for teaching, supporting and assessing the AV/DME. This framework can be disseminated beyond the University of Wales Newport, and can be used to teach the AV/DME in further contexts and to wider groups of students.

Innovative development of the national university system in Russia: trends and key elements

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriy I. Razorenov ◽  
Konstantin V. Vodenko
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Innovation System ◽  
National Innovation System ◽  
The State ◽  
World Intellectual Property Organization ◽  
Innovative Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry

PurposeThe goal of the research is to analyze the university development trends in the national innovation system. The paper presents a review of the formation of innovative development strategies and the place of a university in them. The structure is based on the analysis of foreign trends of the transformation of universities and the examination of the efficiency of the interaction between the university, industry and the state. Russian experience in the transformation of universities is presented.Design/methodology/approachResearch methodologies include methods of statistical and comparative analysis and synthesis. The information analysis base of the research is composed of the reports of the World Intellectual Property Organization at year-end 2019, as well as global comparative assessments of the status and development of innovation activities by the Global Innovation Index and Global Competitiveness Index, which are calculated according to the methodology of the World Economic Forum and others.FindingsIn the course of research, the authors put forward a new model of universities within the framework of the national innovation system, which is based on the “triple helix model of innovation” implemented by universities, industry and the state. The logic and structure of the research are set forth in the following way. First, a review of the global practice of the formation and implementation of state innovation policy is given, with the university being a key link, the foreign experience in the transformation of universities is analyzed and the efficiency of the interaction between the university, industry and the state is examined. Furthermore, consideration is given to the Russian experience in the transformation of universities. In conclusion, the main findings of the research are presented.Practical implicationsResults testify that goals and objectives that can be solved by achieving indicators in the world rankings are important for improving competitiveness of education, but they are only efficient if they conform to management decisions that are taken for achieving them and coincide with strategic goals and directions that should be implemented within the framework of the national innovation and academic system.Originality/valueResearch hypothesis is as follows: modern age is characterized by the rapid development of digital technologies and globalization processes, which transform technologies and cultural patterns into techniques and methods of working with information. Despite the fact that a university is the center for the development of society and culture, which serves as an axiological core, it is subject to the transformation, which is mainly manifested in instrumental changes and the expansion of the social procurement range. The modern educational system is yet to find a contemporary conceptual framework of a university that would satisfy the up-to-date requirements of the global information society in an age of digital revolution and dominate in the educational services market.

Relationship between governance mechanisms and contract performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayashankar Maurya ◽  
Amit Kumar Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Field Research ◽  
Incomplete Contracts ◽  
Critical Dimension ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contract Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the variation in the relationship between governance mechanisms and the effect of the relationship on contract performance, especially in controlling partner opportunism. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a comparative case analysis of contract governance of “National Health Insurance Program” in India. The data are collected using field research through in-depth interviews and direct observation across three states in India. Findings The authors find that the governance mechanisms continue to complement and substitute, both in a dynamic manner, but until aligned with the nature of transaction, they are ineffective to mitigate opportunism, a critical dimension of contract performance. Inappropriate governance mechanisms inflate the gaps in incomplete contracts, resulting in partner opportunism. Research limitations/implications The study draws findings from healthcare context and service-based contracting; therefore, the applicability of this study may vary in other contexts. Practical implications The paper highlights the need for building flexibility in the governance structure while designing contracts. Further, managers need to combine both governance mechanisms dynamically to align with the nature of the transaction to control partner opportunism. Originality/value The authors contribute to the existing debate on the conundrum of the relationship between governance mechanisms and provide a new explanation. The authors propose that it is not the specific governance mechanisms but the alignment of the governance mix with the nature of the transaction that determines the contract performance, especially control of partner opportunism.

scholarly journals External supply chain flexibility and product innovation performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 1981-2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Wai Joyce Ko ◽  
Gordon Liu ◽  
Isaac K. Ngugi ◽  
Chris Chapleo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Chain Flexibility ◽  
Informal Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Normative Integration

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effect of external supply chain (SC) flexibility on the product innovation performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the contingent role of informal control mechanisms in moderating such an effect. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 236 UK-based SME manufacturers. Findings Inbound supplier flexibility (ISF) has a stronger positive effect on SMEs’ product innovation performance than outbound logistics flexibility (OLF), and that the strength and direction of both effects depend on informal control mechanisms. Lead supplier influence negatively moderates the relationship between ISF and product innovation performance but positively moderates the relationship between OLF and product innovation performance. Normative integration positively moderates the relationship between ISF and product innovation performance. Research limitations/implications This study enriches SC flexibility studies by focusing on understanding the differential effects of ISF and OLF on product innovation performance, as well as the role that contingency factors play in these relationships in the SME context. Practical implications To promote product innovation performance, SME managers should focus on building good relationships with their suppliers rather than their logistics service providers. SME managers should be particularly aware of the different types of informal control mechanisms that govern their SC relationships and adjust their managerial approaches accordingly. Originality/value This study distinguishes between ISF and OLF and examines their impacts on SMEs’ product innovation performance. This study investigates the differential effects of lead supplier influence and normative integration on the relationship between external SC flexibility and SMEs’ product innovation performance.

Managing the university-industry collaborative innovation in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-82
Author(s):  
Fei Li ◽  
Jin Chen ◽  
Yu-Shan Su
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Management ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Collaborative Innovation ◽  
Innovation Practices ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry

Purpose Collaboration with universities is an important innovation strategy for enterprises. However, currently very little research has focused on how such university-industry collaborative innovation activities should be managed. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper introduces the university-industry collaborative innovation practices of Zhejiang NHU Company in China. By using a case study as the method, this paper aims to illustrate the mechanism of university-industry collaborative innovation and how to manage the collaborative innovation activities efficiently. Findings Zhejiang NHU Company established a university-industry collaborative innovation link through three innovation platforms: the technology R&D center, the ZJU-NHU joint-research center, and the national engineer center. Zhejiang NHU Company manages its collaborative relationships with universities through this innovation network. Originality/value NHU Company managed the collaborative relationship efficiently with the institutions, representing an effective degree of university-industry collaborative innovation management.

Control mechanisms employed between headquarters and subsidiaries in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaithen Alharbi ◽  
Hamid Gelaidan ◽  
Abdullah Al-Swidi ◽  
Abubakr Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Successful Operation ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Output Control ◽  
Informal Control ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to investigated the control mechanisms of headquarters exercised over their subsidiaries and is conducted with the help of primary data. Design/methodology/approach The headquarters–subsidiary model used in this study has four components of control in it: personal centralised control (PCC), bureaucratic formalised control (BFC), output control (OUT) and informal control (INFO). These controls (as an agency mechanism) provide a solid platform on which other mechanisms can be built. Using a data collected from 147 multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the influence of each of these factors on this selection is empirically tested with the help of primary data. Findings The study found that Anglo-Saxon countries heavily use impersonal types of control mechanisms, specifically bureaucratic formalised control and output control. Compared to the USA, the level of control in Oriental subsidiaries is less; or, put differently, the latter enjoy a greater degree of autonomy than US subsidiaries. The complementarities of these control mechanisms may be linked to earlier studies that show that successful organisations combine tight control with more open, informal and flexible information and communication exchanges. A focus that bends too much towards formal control or too much towards informal control may threaten a company’s existence. This research provides an empirical explanation on this premise. Research limitations/implications The methodology adopted for this study can be extended for similar studies in the Middle East or in Gulf Council Cooperation countries. Practical implications The study show that MNEs from different countries often have different dominant control mechanisms and organisational models. This is partly due to different industry distributions, but it is also related to cultural/societal differences between countries. These differences should be considered when searching for a partner in cross-national mergers and acquisitions. Failure to do so could hinder the successful operation of a merger that seems to be perfect from a financial and competitive point of view. Originality/value The study explored variations in the extent of control mechanisms, according to country of origin and organisational characteristics, in a challenging country of domicile. This empirical work not only replicates earlier studies, retesting propositions encountered in the existing literature, but also sheds new light on the challenges of doing business in the Gulf region, and the consequences of the large scale usage of expatriates.

Factors affecting the diffusion and success of collaborative interactions between university and industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Capaldo ◽  
Nicola Costantino ◽  
Roberta Pellegrino ◽  
Pierluigi Rippa
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Collaborative Interactions ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
New Policies ◽  
The University ◽  
Cross Case Analysis ◽  
University Industry

Purpose This paper aims to investigate factors and weaknesses influencing university–industry interactions diffusion and success by focusing on the research services initiatives because there are limited studies in literature focusing on this specific form of interaction between the two actors. Design/methodology/approach The authors carried an explorative research based on multiple case studies referring to research services experienced between two big Italian universities and small and medium-sized enterprises located in the same area. Findings By conducting a cross-case analysis, the authors highlight categories of data in terms of factors influencing interactions’ diffusion and success, as perceived by researchers and by firms; and weaknesses in the interactions process to identify suggestions for improving interactions’ diffusion and success, from researchers and firms. Practical implications The outcomes provide managerial implications useful for agencies supporting the diffusion of innovation among firms and firms’ systems for defining new policies and action plans aimed at making the university–industry interactions faster and more effective, improving the innovation processes within firms. Originality/value This paper gives new insight in the analysis of factors enhancing university–industry relationships with a focus on research services collaborations and focusing both on university and industry, where large contributions focus predominantly on both groups.

scholarly journals Fundamental elements of university-industry interaction from a grounded theory approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Bürger ◽  
Gabriela Gonçalves Silveira Fiates
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
University Industry

PurposeThis work aims to analyze the university–industry interaction in innovation ecosystems. The problem under study addresses how agents can operate in university–industry interactions to enhance the connections, specifically in the aspect of operational mechanisms of an innovation ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThe study is qualitative, applied through grounded theory approach, cross-sectional and multiple sources of evidence – semi-structured interviews were conducted. An explanatory conceptual model was subsequently compared with the literature and validated with specialists.FindingsThe results showed that the university–industry interaction is influenced by several factors, such as networking, legal support, facilitating agents, management practices. Despite this, some other factors were identified for the improvement of U–I relationships, such as: strengthening of triple helix, greater legal certainty and encouragement of open innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size and the heterogeneity among the universities interviewed did not allow full saturation to occur. In spite of that, a significant level of saturation with respect to the challenges and barriers was observed.Practical implicationsThis work has a direct dialogue with researchers, managers and actors involved in university–industry interaction with regard to increasing the capacity for creation and dissemination of knowledge among organizations, educational institutions, government and companies.Originality/valueBy adopting a grounded theory approach, a detailed research agenda addresses research needs in two main areas: activities that precede the interaction between universities and companies, and the organization and management of the consequences of collaborative relationships.

Networking: a male dominated game

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Socratous
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
Chartered Accountants ◽  
Big Four ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose Using primary data from an online survey in addition to 29 semi-structured interviews among chartered accountants and academics in Cyprus, originally collected for the purposes of a PhD research, this paper aims to investigate the importance of networking with regards to women’s progression in the workplace, as well as the barriers women are faced with in their attempt to “play” the networking game in according to the male rules. Design/methodology/approach The use of an inductive approach was considered appropriate since there is little existing research on gender issues in Cypriot organisations. For the purposes of the study, a two-step qualitative approach was taken. Step 1 was an online survey with both closed and open-ended questions delivered to employed Cypriot men and women. Step 2 of the study comprised semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The interviews were conducted with specific, preselected employees, both men and women, comprising chartered accountants from the BIG Four companies in Cyprus and academics working at the University of Cyprus. Findings The research reported in this paper suggests that while there is the perception that men and women share the same opportunities within the workplace and women do not progress by choice, there appear to be various structural and cultural influences at play. It is clear that women are restricted from networking opportunities either intentionally or due to cultural and societal norms and this results in minimising their chances of breaking the glass ceiling and progressing to the top of the organisational ladder. Originality/value The research focuses on the impediments women in Cyprus are faced with in their attempt to network. There is no previous research on this subject in Cyprus.

scholarly journals Rational and symbolic uses of performance measurement

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 750-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Dobija ◽  
Anna Maria Górska ◽  
Giuseppe Grossi ◽  
Wojciech Strzelczyk
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Endogenous Factors ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Exogenous Factors ◽  
The University ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the uses and users of performance measurement (PM) in the university context. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data were gathered from four universities. This approach allows for a multilevel and comparative analysis based on the neo-institutional theory. The results are discussed alongside interdisciplinary literature on the use of PM in the public sector. Findings PM practices at universities have become increasingly popular on institutional, organisational and individual levels. The results indicate that different types of PM are used in universities and that the extent, and scope of PM used by various actors differ. Universities often use PM in a ceremonial and symbolic manner, with the aim of legitimising themselves externally as research-oriented institutions. The use of PM depends on both, exogenous factors (such as isomorphic pressures) and endogenous factors related to the different responses of organisations and individual actors (university managers, and academics). However, the analysis at the internal level reveals different attitudes and some resistance to the use of such kinds of PM. In universities with a local focus, the use of PM for rational decision-making is generally loosely coupled with the reporting performance for external accountability purposes. Moreover, the internal use of PM can be also symbolic. Research limitations/implications This paper focusses on four case studies that are currently undergoing changes. The comparative analysis is supported by the use of different data collection methods and several in-depth interviews with key university actors. Originality/value The authors assume that the use of PM depends on a number of exogenous and endogenous factors. PM uses and users are discussed in the specific context of the higher education system in Poland. The four business school cases facilitate a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in terms of the uses and users of PM in the context of internationally and locally oriented universities.

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