Academy–industry linking capabilities as a determinant of innovation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the importance of the linkage between academia and industry from a business perspective. The analysis focuses on the impact generated from these collaboration programs to promote innovation. Data for the analysis was obtained through a measurement instrument, which allows evaluating multiple dimensions of capacity of absorption as determinants of the innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consisted of the implementation of the measurement instrument for the managers in the companies who were involved in the collaborative projects. From the answers obtained, an analysis of strengths and weaknesses was performed, categorized by absorptive capacity dimensions, satisfaction with linkage relationship and innovative impact. In addition, a comparative exercise is presented with the purpose of learning the position of the Postgraduate Program in Industrial Engineering in México, and finally, an analysis of Spearman’s coefficient was performed to verify whether the linkage influenced innovation for this case study.

Findings

There is a positive correlation between linkage and innovation. An unexpected finding was the level of satisfaction of the companies that collaborated with the academy and the real situation of each dimension to determine the improvements in the policies and mechanisms of linkage.

Research limitations/implications

One of the main challenges of this paper was to identify and contact the managers of the projects. These projects have been performed and completed in several companies from 2011 to date. Over this time, some managers have changed their employment status and even their places of residence. Therefore, establishing contact and performing interviews with the managers directly linked to each project was a complex process.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that demonstrates and measures the relationship between linkage and innovation through an instrument of absorptive capacity, which determines the behavior of each dimension where strengths and weaknesses of collaboration relationships are detected and determines the punctual impact on innovation from the perspective of the businessmen involved.

Citation

Garcia-Montijo, L. and Perez-Soltero, A. (2020), "Academy–industry linking capabilities as a determinant of innovation", International Journal of Innovation Science, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 220-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-10-2017-0108