scholarly journals Knowledge transfer between universities and smes and regional development. The role of the clusters as communities of practice

Author(s):  
Costin Lianu ◽  
Irina Gabriela Rădulescu ◽  
Corina Simona Dobre Gudei ◽  
Cosmin Lianu

AbstractThe Exchange of knowledge between universities and SMEs became a source of sustainable competitive advantages. The innovation capacity of SMEs is under pressure for various reasons since knowledge management is more costly and innovation readiness more difficult to be achieved. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) became in this context critical players in the knowledge-based economy to interact with small companies. The traditional functions of universities are the generation of knowledge (research) and its transmission (teaching) are reconsidered in order to better serve the managers.This paper investigate conditions SMEs and universities may better work together, assuming that a pro university-SMEs cooperation behaviour at the level of the SMEs managers and universities is an essential factor of an efficient transfer of knowledge. Evidence of this interaction from development regions of Romania are shown in order to identify emerging cooperation patterns. Another area this paper investigates is the interaction of universities and SMEs when they are bound together in a longer cooperation alliances, in clusters. Actions to develop clusters include universities as central resource. The research intends to review the role of the university in cluster development for Romanian development regions on their struggle to occupy a role in European smart specialization processes. As a main conclusion, the article argues that smart specialization and communities of practice are interconnected concepts enabling innovation processes in university-industry interaction. Knowledge transfer may be more efficient when clusters and universities are interacting on a long-term basis.

2006 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad M. Jasimuddin ◽  
N. A. D. Connell ◽  
Jonathan H. Klein

The transfer of knowledge is an important task of contemporary organisations. In the knowledge-based economy, more and more organisations have increasingly recognised and encouraged the value of knowledge transfer. However, there is sometimes a tendency to horde knowledge, perhaps through fear of losing power or through uncertainty over job security. In this paper, we consider the motivators of knowledge transfer based on an empirical study carried out in part of a UK multinational, IBM Laboratories, in which the atmosphere appeared conducive to knowledge sharing, and knowledge transfer appeared voluntary and spontaneous. The paper questions why members of an organisation like IBM might be enthusiastic about the transfer of knowledge among themselves. The paper investigates the motivating factors that encourage the transfer of knowledge. A number of motivators underlying knowledge transfer are identified.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29A) ◽  
pp. 393-394
Author(s):  
Edward Jurua

AbstractScience and technology play a key role in economic development; and Universities have a direct stake in this process. A knowledge-based economy requires scientific and technological expertise that is strongly influenced by the strength of training in science and technology. However, in Uganda not many students opt for science subject at higher levels, and subsequently in the University. Therefore, there is need to encourage and motivate students to study science subjects in order for this to be successful. This can be achieved through introduction of stimulating subjects such as astronomy in the university curriculum. Astronomy is considered as the most appealing subject and an excellent tool for conveying scientific knowledge to young students. In this paper, the role that astronomy has played to motivate and interest students to study physics in Mbarara University of Science and Technology, in Uganda, is discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakir Jumakulov ◽  
Adil Ashirbekov ◽  
Jason Sparks ◽  
Aida Sagintayeva

This article describes the nature and impact of a major recent education policy aimed to transform higher education in Kazakhstan, the State Program of Industrial Innovative Development 2015 to 2019 (SPIID-2). This inquiry sought to understand and describe the role of internationalization of higher education in SPIID-2, and more specifically its role for developing university research. Kazakhstan’s industrial innovative development program promotes university–industry collaboration and universities’ international partnerships to enhance the role of the university in the economic development of the country, consistent with the imperatives and opportunities of the knowledge-based economy. The role of internationalization, particularly, involving international partner institutions, in this policy, contributes to quality assurance and informed decision making. Findings are based on content analysis of policy texts and interviews with university representatives.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-107
Author(s):  
Andżelika Libertowska

The article raises the issue of social capital in the context of building a knowledge-based economy. Globalization, the increasing mobility of factors of production and the development of information technology have all led companies towards a stronger competitive struggle. Competing with factors of production of material nature has become insufficient. Therefore, the interest of economists is now focusing on the role of informal institutions in the process of economic growth. The growth of the designations of social capital such as trust, norms and values, collaboration and relationship building, affects the ease of information flow, creation and transfer of knowledge - all of which translate into a reduction of transaction costs, increased innovativeness and competitiveness. The purpose of this article is to present the importance of social capital in the process of building a knowledge-based economy, and above all, the growth of innovativeness and entrepreneurship on the example of Poland. The study contains a review of literature sources which deal with the role of informal institutions in the fundamental aspects of knowledge economy, and thus, the value of companies, their intellectual capital, ease of business transactions, and above all, innovativeness. The last factor is presented on the canvas of current empirical data derived from institutions analyzing the level of Polish innovativeness. In addition, the article presents the results of empirical research on cross-organizational collaboration of selected companies of the food sector in Greater Poland and the importance of social capital in achieving competitive advantage in the international arena.


Author(s):  
Aurelija Čižauskaitė-Butkaliuk

In this century the management of the country is in a dynamic, multiplicity and controversial environment. For their competitiveness is necessary to look for the interaction between the knowledgebased economy and the sustainable development. A strong correlation between those objects.forces scientists to analyze, create new evaluation methodologies. The aim of this study – to examine the role of importance between knowledge–based economy and sustainable development, create and calculate an integrated sustainable knowledge–based economy index of Lithuania and according to the results or research, make proposes for more effective development of Lithuania’s sustainable knowledge–based economy. The index consists of Socio-economic, environmental, innovation, human resources and information and communications technology sub–indices..The calculation showed that the development of a knowledge–based economy is not sustainable, because not all the development of sub–indices.is the same. The biggest positive changes taking place in information and communication technology, and negative – socio-economic areas. The sustainable development of the knowledge–based economy in Lithuania since 2010 is growing up.


Malaysia was one of the early adopters of Internet technology to steer innovation policy in a direction that is making the country become a knowledge-based economy. This notion of knowledge-based economy driven by ICT is best exemplified by the borderless connectivity, interactivity, and networking. Since the middle of 1990s, there have been gradual but systematic public and private sector initiatives towards ICT agenda with the prominent role of the state. This chapter aims to unpack ICT developments and examine the implications of the post-MSC formation for Malaysia and its associated issues and challenges. Second, the discussion provides an overview of MSC performance and its importance for enhancing growth, trade, and investment; reducing the digital gap; nurturing innovation; and achieving more inclusive societies. Third, some issues and challenges in MSC development are also highlighted.


Author(s):  
Ainurul Rosli ◽  
Peter Robinson

This chapter looks into the importance of having a clear identity of a boundary spanner in determining the role of the partners in a university-industry knowledge transfer programme. It highlights issues around the relationship between the business and the graduate as the boundary spanner, where the university's level of control differs between two programmes: Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network (KEEN) programme. The four case studies illustrate interesting points since the university is the employer for the KTPs associate and the business is the employer for the KEEN associate, whilst successful KTP and KEEN projects rely on a full understanding of the role of the graduate within the business.


Author(s):  
Deogratias Harorimana

This chapter introduces the role of the knowledge gatekeeper as a mechanism by which knowledge is created and transferred in a networked environment. Knowledge creation and transfer are essential for building a knowledge-based economy. The chapter considers obstacles that inhibit this process and argues that leading firms create a shared sociocultural context that enables the condivision of tacit meanings and codification of knowledge. Leading firms act as gatekeepers of knowledge through the creation of shared virtual platforms. There will be a leading firm that connects several networks of clients and suppliers who may not interact directly with one another, but are, indeed, connected indirectly though the leading firm that acts as a gatekeeper. The chapter argues that a large firm connecting several clients and suppliers at the multinational level represents a gatekeeper, but even individuals and focal firms in industrial districts can be gatekeepers. The author hopes that, through this discussion, academics, researchers, and doctoral students will have a comprehensive theoretical and practical basis on which to study the role of leading firms in building innovations and virtual teams of knowledge sharing in a highly networked and competitive environment.


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