University-industry relations and technological convergence

Abstract

University-industry relationships and the associated diversity of multi-institutional networks of researchers are phenomena that have important implications in terms of the management of technological integration. The nature of these peculiar relationships has inherent knowledge generation characteristics that may be particularly suitable to the task of integrating different approaches and different technologies in novel ways. This paper attempts to systematize and synthesize recent literature on the subject. It focuses on the relationships between forms or modes of academia and industry cooperative channels and their implications on knowledge production and exploitation. It explores their contribution in terms of its potential as a tool that can be used in the management of technological convergence. It presents relevant or illustrative examples, describing the main empirical findings and their important contributions, and it proposes a model that conceptualises the problem.