Page 13 - Rižnar, Igor, and Klemen Kavčič (ed.). 2017. Connecting Higher Education Institutions with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 13
1 Collaboration between Small
and Medium-Sized Enterprises
and Universities: A Perfect Fit?
Robert Rybnicek
University of Graz, Austria
robert.rybnicek@uni-graz.at
In recent years, collaboration between universities and compa-
nies has become increasingly important. Due to internationalisa-
tion, globalisation and competition, companies and other insti-
tutions are under pressure from both high costs and the need
for innovation. As a consequence, many institutions collabo-
rate and use synergetic effects to reduce their prices and keep
up with competitors. Not only in the private sector but also in
the higher education sector, organisations have to increase col-
laboration to be internationally competitive. Recently, collabora-
tion between universities and companies has gained enormous
significance and both can benefit from this partnership. In the
course of this article, we conducted a literature review on uni-
versity collaboration to identify the most common benefits. In
particular, we focused on collaboration between universities and
small and medium-sized enterprises and analysed how they can
profit from such collaboration, for instance regarding equipment,
staff, financing and knowledge transfer. However, our review
strongly suggests that collaborations between s m e s and uni-
versities should only be realised if there is a proper fit between
both collaboration partners and their requirements and goals.
Ključne besede: collaboration, s m e, universities, benefit
Introduction
In recent years, collaboration between institutions – private or public
– has become more and more important. Globalisation, international
markets, the pressure for innovation and a fast-changing and highly
competitive environment have made it necessary to collaborate in or-
der to face these challenges. For many companies, collaboration with a
university seems to be valuable. First, universities are serious partners
with a wide knowledge base and a tendentious focus on fundamental
research – a topic that is often neglected in the private sector. Secondly,
11
and Medium-Sized Enterprises
and Universities: A Perfect Fit?
Robert Rybnicek
University of Graz, Austria
robert.rybnicek@uni-graz.at
In recent years, collaboration between universities and compa-
nies has become increasingly important. Due to internationalisa-
tion, globalisation and competition, companies and other insti-
tutions are under pressure from both high costs and the need
for innovation. As a consequence, many institutions collabo-
rate and use synergetic effects to reduce their prices and keep
up with competitors. Not only in the private sector but also in
the higher education sector, organisations have to increase col-
laboration to be internationally competitive. Recently, collabora-
tion between universities and companies has gained enormous
significance and both can benefit from this partnership. In the
course of this article, we conducted a literature review on uni-
versity collaboration to identify the most common benefits. In
particular, we focused on collaboration between universities and
small and medium-sized enterprises and analysed how they can
profit from such collaboration, for instance regarding equipment,
staff, financing and knowledge transfer. However, our review
strongly suggests that collaborations between s m e s and uni-
versities should only be realised if there is a proper fit between
both collaboration partners and their requirements and goals.
Ključne besede: collaboration, s m e, universities, benefit
Introduction
In recent years, collaboration between institutions – private or public
– has become more and more important. Globalisation, international
markets, the pressure for innovation and a fast-changing and highly
competitive environment have made it necessary to collaborate in or-
der to face these challenges. For many companies, collaboration with a
university seems to be valuable. First, universities are serious partners
with a wide knowledge base and a tendentious focus on fundamental
research – a topic that is often neglected in the private sector. Secondly,
11
