Gaining from interactions with universities: multiple methods for nurturing absorptive capacity

Abstract

This paper examines the different ways in which firms benefit from their interactions with universities. The paper argues that three learning capabilities, connected with the building up of a firm’s absorptive capacity, can be enhanced by interactions with university: explorative, exploitative, and assimilation and transformation capabilities. By looking at a range of potential benefits rising from interactions with university, this paper investigates the impact that some characteristics of firms and university partnerships have on the type of gains that firms obtain from such interactions. To study these issues, we combine data from a survey of UK firms who have taken part in collaborations with university, and data about the past records of partnerships with universities held by our sample of firms.