Partner selection and university-industry linkages: Assessing small firms' initial perceptions of the credibility of their partners

JOHNSTON, Andrew and HUGGINS, Robert (2018). Partner selection and university-industry linkages: Assessing small firms' initial perceptions of the credibility of their partners. Technovation, 78, 15-26.

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Abstract

As promoting the engagement of firms and universities through collaborative linkages gathers pace among policymakers, it appears to be pertinent to examine in more detail the mechanisms that underpin their formation This paper examines the processes by which small firms assess the credibility of their potential partner when engaging in collaborative links with universities. Here, credibility is defined as the ability to deliver the promised knowledge and experience of a particular field when entering into a collaborative linkage with a university, representing the firms' assessment of the usefulness of the university as a potential partner. The paper presents two main findings; firstly, the credibility of potential university partners is based around the realism, comprehensiveness, and specificity of their knowledge. Secondly, credibility appears to be judged at an individual rather than institutional level. The implication of these findings to theory and practice are also discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Sheffield Business School Research Institute > International Business, Economics, SMEs and Entrepreneurship
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Sheffield Business School > Department of Management
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2018.02.005
Page Range:	15-26
Depositing User:	Andrew Johnston
Date Deposited:	13 Mar 2018 14:12
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 02:31
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18840

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