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- Abu Sa'a, Ehab, et al.
(författare)
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Enabling knowledge sharing in university-cross-industry competence centres
- 2023
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Ingår i: Proceedings of European Academy of Management (EURAM) 2023. - Dublin, Ireland.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- University competence centres (UCCs) are created to enhance university-industry collaboration and knowledge sharing among collaborating partners. This study investigates the organisation of knowledge sharing among firms in UCCs through a qualitative case study of UCCs with or without a focus on research in their activities. Data collection was done through interviews and observations over a period of 24 months. While the findings indicate that both types of UCCs are non-neutral, they also reveal several different characteristics that appear primarily based on a strong tie either to the first (education) or the second (research) mission of academia. Although both types of UCCs act to build a common meaning among participating organisations, the focus on the first or the second mission leads to this meaning is primarily being constructed in the firm-to-firm or university-to-firm interfaces, respectively. Whereas cross-industry knowledge sharing is emphasised by both types of centres, it is thus more strongly emphasised by UCCs without a focus on research as it helps to avoid harmful effects of knowledge spillovers. The focus on the first mission also appears able to sustain the organisation of knowledge ecosystems created by UCCs without a focus on research in a prefigurative form, which is otherwise typically transient. Furthermore, the challenges to sustainability are different, with centres focused on research being pre-occupied with funding issues, while centres not focused on research leveraging on others means to maintain the interest of industry. The findings contribute to innovation management research and practice by refining current understanding of processes and practices of university-industry collaboration, and how they contribute to facilitate (cross-industry) collaboration and knowledge transfer. Given that university-industry collaboration is often promoted in national innovation policies to create value for society as whole, our findings contribute towards enabling organisations, managers as well as governments to take more informed actions when engaging in such collaborations.
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| 2. |
- Abu Sa'a, Ehab, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring enablers of internal knowledge dissemination for boundary-spanning industrial PhD students
- 2024
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Ingår i: Creativity and Innovation Management. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0963-1690 .- 1467-8691.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Industrial PhD students, affiliating to industrial firms and academic institutions, hold unique boundary-spanning positions as they engage in knowledge co-creation through university–industry collaboration (UIC). Despite much research on knowledge transfer processes and boundary spanners in inter-organizational contexts, firms who engage in UIC remain uncertain about how to reap the benefits of co-creating knowledge through industrial PhD projects. This paper investigates the enablers of knowledge dissemination for PhD students in industrial firms. Based on a qualitative case study in Sweden, our study identifies enablers and mechanisms related to individual and organizational actions in the internal knowledge dissemination process. Based on the findings, the paper presents a model that distinguishes between surface and deep knowledge dissemination and elaborates on the symbiotic nature of enablers, with middle management mediating between the individual and organizational levels. The paper enhances research on knowledge dissemination in UIC by specifically addressing industrial PhD students' dissemination of co-created knowledge. The findings inform organizations in managing their expectations, making more informed decisions and improving dissemination conditions for boundary-spanning industrial PhD students in UIC.
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| 6. |
- Abu Sa'a, Ehab, et al.
(författare)
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Mitigating the Need of Prior Experience for Firms to Engage in University-Industry Collaborations
- 2023
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the modern business environment, University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) has emerged as a dynamic mechanism for knowledge co-creation and a way for firms to reach and sustain a competitive advantage. Collaborative university-industry (CUI) PhD projects offer a way to translate academic research into practical industry applications. Prior research emphasises the importance of prior UIC experience for firms to achieve successful knowledge related outcomes in UIC. This study explores how firms with limited UIC experience can effectively navigate the challenges and harness the benefits of such collaborations. In the context of Manufacturing Academy of Denmark (MADE) program, we investigate CUI PhD projects as pathways for fostering learning environments and generating valuable knowledge outcomes. Examining multiple cases, we identify themes that could help less experienced firms to navigate their success in UIC. Our findings underscore that careful project planning and design, strategic use of intermediaries, and fostering a firm-wide attitude of commitment play pivotal roles in enabling successful collaborations. This paper offers actionable insights that bridge the experience gap, providing practical guidance for firms aiming to unlock the full potential of UIC collaborations. By strategically embracing these approaches, less experienced firms can effectively navigate the intricacies of collaborative projects, enhancing their ability to thrive in the dynamic intersection of academia and industry.
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| 7. |
- Abu Sa'a, Ehab, et al.
(författare)
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University-industry collaboration enabling cross-industry knowledge sharing
- 2023
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cross-industry knowledge sharing is a dynamic phenomenon that can thrive at the intersection of academia and industry. Through a qualitative case study of research-centric and network-focused university-industry collaboration (UIC), this study delves into the intricate interplay of structural social capital within UIC and its role in enabling cross-industry knowledge sharing. Data collection was done through interviews and observations over a period of 24 months. Our findings underscore the multifaceted nature of cross-industry knowledge sharing, revealing that it is influenced by the specific focus of UIC structures. In UIC with a research-centric orientation, formal and structured coordination activities prevail. Here, academia leads the way, cultivating shared norms based on academic logic. Cognitive social capital, built through knowledge abstraction, is coopted to facilitate cross-industry knowledge sharing. These collaborations are driven by the imperative for publishable results and align with academia's research agenda. Conversely, UICs emphasizing networking and relationships foster informal structural social capital. Academic involvement is less pronounced, and knowledge sharing occurs through unstructured, informal interactions. Cross-industry knowledge sharing in these settings is more context-specific, potentially requiring less effort for application but following a less structured knowledge transfer process. Research-oriented UIC face challenges regarding long-term relationships due to the finite nature of public funding, while networking-focused UIC grapple with academic disengagement tied to research funding. Nonetheless, they find innovative ways to endure, such as realizing the importance to engage industrial representatives. This study advances our understanding of cross-industry knowledge sharing by elucidating how the structural social capital within UICs shapes the dynamics of knowledge transfer. It highlights the importance of considering the orientation and focus of UICs when harnessing their potential for cross-industry knowledge sharing, offering valuable insights for policymakers and strategists in the public-private interface.
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