Typology of Industrial Collaborative Ideals: How Industry Approaches University–Industry Collaboration (UIC)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: University–Industry Collaboration (UIC) has been a well-established field of research for over 50 years, offering insights into best practices, precursors, and supporting factors while acknowledging industry partners as proactive contributors. However, a comprehensive understanding of how industry approaches UIC remains elusive. This study examines industry collaboration strategies with higher education institutions (HEIs) and defines ideal types of industrial collaborators, illustrating their engagement approaches. Using a qualitative, inductive methodology, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with senior management and strategic decision-makers from large enterprises engaged in academic collaboration. The data were analyzed following Gioia et al. (2013) to ensure qualitative rigor, and a typology was developed based on the framework of Doty and Glick (1994). Our analysis introduces a novel typology of industrial collaboration ideals, providing a theoretical framework to better understand the complex and multidimensional nature of UIC from an industry perspective. We identify key variations in organizational approaches, infrastructure, and support mechanisms that facilitate effective university engagement, highlighting differences in design and implementation. This study contributes critical insights into the underexplored industry perspective within the Triple Helix framework, offering a benchmark for assessing industry collaboration effectiveness and laying a foundation for optimizing UIC strategies.
DOI: 10.61030/nkcs9124
Authors: Peter Egorov, Natascha Eckert
Institution: The University of Adelaide
Language: English
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4412477648