scholarly journals Facilitators of and barriers to collaboration between universities and the food industry in nutrition research: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Garnweidner-Holme ◽  
Helle Skoglund Lieberg ◽  
Harald Irgens-Jensen ◽  
Vibeke H. Telle-Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
Common Goals ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Barriers To Collaboration ◽  
University Industry

Background: Unhealthy food is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Improved knowledge about healthy and sustainable food products requires nutrition research in collaboration between universities and the food industry. Objective: To investigate the facilitators of and barriers to university–industry collaborations in nutrition research. Design: Semi-structured, individual interviews with five researchers in universities and five employees in the food industry were conducted in the Oslo region, Norway. Interviews were thematically analysed and guided by Braun and Clark. Results: This study showed positive experiences and attitudes towards a university–industry collaboration within nutrition research aiming for healthier food products. The main facilitators of good collaboration were common goals, the exchange of knowledge and the opportunity for research funding. Barriers to good collaboration were prejudices related to the food industry’s goals and previous experiences of time-consuming projects. Interestingly, collaboration agreements were identified as both facilitators of and barriers to good collaboration. Conclusion: Stimulating university–food industry collaboration requires increased juridical assistance, provided that the lawyers involved understand the parties’ interests and the need to balance those interests and safeguard mutual trust. In addition, the food industry must take a clearer role in their engagement in public health to improve their trustworthiness in relation to research results.

University–Industry Collaboration in Sri Lanka — A Developing Country Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. 1850032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vathsala Wickramasinghe ◽  
Khaleel Malik
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
Survey Interviews ◽  
Barriers To Collaboration ◽  
University Industry ◽  
Practical Implications

Many advanced economies are at the forefront of the growth of university–industry (U–I) collaborations. But many developing countries have yet to fully implement this type of important linkage phenomenon. We report empirical findings from our study conducted in Sri Lanka to provide more explanations on the nature of U–I collaboration in developing countries. We used multiple methods to collect empirical data, namely a questionnaire survey, interviews with university academic staff and a few company managers, held focus group workshops and exploited secondary data on national government sponsorship initiatives linked to U–I collaborations. This paper discusses key practical implications around current modes of U–I collaborations, barriers to collaboration and funding of collaborations, which provide a number of valuable lessons for the advancement of knowledge.

University–Industry Collaboration

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Cottam
Keyword(s):  
University Research ◽  
Commercial Exploitation ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
Barriers To Collaboration ◽  
University Industry

Previous studies have emphasized the barriers to the successful commercial exploitation of university research by industry. In this paper, the barriers to collaboration prior to commercial exploitation are examined. It is argued that the ‘soft’ human-orientated barriers are at least as important as the more obvious ‘hard’ technical and contractual barriers. Both types of barrier need to be effectively handled in the preliminary stages of collaboration.

scholarly journals Exploring the Influences of Innovation Climate and Resource Endowments through Two Types of University–Industry Collaborative Activities on Regional Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7559
Author(s):  
Shu Yu ◽  
Shuangshuang Zhang ◽  
Takaya Yuizono
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
Regional Sustainable Development ◽  
Resource Endowments ◽  
Innovation Climate ◽  
University Industry

“Innovation driven” is the proper term for promoting regional sustainable development under the general goal of national high-quality development. University–industry collaboration (UIC) has become an important innovation resource for regional sustainable development. The study aims to analyze the influencing factors and mediating mechanisms of university–industry collaboration scientific and technological (S&T) and business activities oriented for regional sustainable development in 30 provinces in China (excluding Tibet). Specifically, we used the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling method to test the effects of innovation climate and resource endowments on regional sustainable development through two mode pathways of university–industry collaboration activities. The results show that the innovation climate and resource endowments significantly affect UIC in scientific and technological innovation activities, and then affect the regional economic development and human capital. UIC S&T innovation activities play positive mediating roles in promoting regional sustainable development. In addition, the innovation climate does not significantly impact the business activities of UIC. Therefore, region can get a greater sustainable development through UIC S&T innovation activities than business activities. Much more UIC S&T activities can improve the economic development, human capital, and environmental conditions in the region.

scholarly journals Two Sides of the Same Coin. University-Industry Collaboration and Open Innovation as Enhancers of Firm Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3866
Author(s):  
Joana Costa ◽  
Ana Rita Neves ◽  
João Reis
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
University Industry

Open innovation is proved to be determinant in the rationalization of sustainable innovation ecosystems. Firms, universities, governments, user communities and the overall environment are called to contribute to this dynamic process. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of open innovation on firms’ performance and to empirically assess whether university-industry collaborations are complementary or substitutes for this activity. Primary data were collected from a survey encompassing 908 firms, and then combined with performance indicators from SABI (Spanish and Portuguese business information). Econometric estimations were run to evaluate the role of open innovation and university-industry collaboration in the firm innovative propensity and performance. Results highlight the importance of diversity in collaborations with the academia and inbound open innovation strategy as enhancers of firm performance. The two activities reinforce each other. By testing the impact of open innovation practices on company performance, the need for heterogeneity in terms of contact type and university is also demonstrated. Findings cast light on the need to reformulate existing policy packages, reinforcing the ties with academia as well as the promotion of open innovation strategies. The connection to the innovation ecosystem needs to be further encouraged as well as the promotion of persistent connections with the knowledge sources in an open and multilateral framework.

scholarly journals Project-Based Learning in a Transinstitutional Research Setting: Case Study on the Development of Sustainable Food Products

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Derler ◽  
Simon Berner ◽  
Daniela Grach ◽  
Alfred Posch ◽  
Ulrike Seebacher
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Research Setting ◽  
School Students ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Project-based learning (PBL) has been thoroughly integrated in university sustainable development curricula, but has not been well-established in curricula used at pre-university educational levels. Integrating real-world settings into the teaching of secondary school students can help to promote problem-solving skills and competencies at younger ages, which is a crucial task in sustainability education. Therefore, in this article we describe the results of a case study on the development of sustainable food products that involved a university and two secondary schools in Austria. The methods used in this case study were drawn from the transdisciplinary case study (TCS) and the PBL literature. Data were collected by carrying out participatory research methods such as photovoice, focus group discussions, food diaries, student evaluations, and surveys. We divided the study design into three phases: (1) exploration, (2) product ideation, and (3) product prototyping and optimisation. The case study illustrates that the use of PBL research approaches by students at different levels of education provides promising results, if the research process is clearly structured and managed. When a demand for learning is encountered by students, secondary school teachers and university researchers must provide the students with additional sources of information. The establishment and management of a transinstitutional research setting is a promising, yet time-consuming endeavour.

The Bioengineering Design Forum

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Prendergast
Keyword(s):  
Medical Device ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Medical Device Industry ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
University Industry ◽  
Device Industry

The author assesses the results of the Bioengineering Design Forum – a collaboration between university researchers, clinicians and industry in Ireland. The aim of the Forum is to initiate, develop and bring to a successful conclusion R&D collaborations that lead to new or improved medical devices. By laying down certain operating procedures for the Forum, an effective ‘meeting ground’ has been developed which serves the objectives of both university engineering departments and the medical device industry in a unique way. The purpose of this paper is to relate our experiences of the Forum; they may be useful to others who would like to attempt similar initiatives in other fields. The author also describes the results that may be expected from this kind of university–industry collaboration in practice.

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