From science management to innovation management: New forms of science-industry relations and knowledge transfer

Abstract

There is a long tradition of research on university-industry collaboration, but recent developments—including expanded academic engagement, the rise of new intermediaries and platforms for science-industry engagement, the revitalization of corporate science, and the development of mission-oriented research policies—call for fresh investigation. These changes have raised new questions about ways to align diverse knowledge transfer practices, foster meaningful collaboration, and support evolving academic engagement and corporate science practices. The papers included in this Special Issue examine science-industry relations at three levels. At the micro level, they look at how individual motivations, identities, and engagement practices shape knowledge exchange and research productivity. At the meso level, they explore organizational structures, strategic intent, and governance mechanisms that enhance scientific development and innovation. And at the macro level, they investigate ecosystem-wide dynamics, including intermediaries, living labs, and broader policy landscapes that foster interdisciplinary co-creation and legitimacy-building. Together, these perspectives underscore the transformative potential of science-industry collaboration while illustrating the inherent complexities of the process. Reflecting on these insights, this Special Issue proposes an agenda for expanding methodological approaches, contextualizing research across diverse settings, developing novel theoretical anchors, and addressing Grand Challenges through more integrated and inclusive collaborations.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103257
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
College of Business and Social Sciences
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Marketing & Strategy
Aston University (General)
Additional Information: Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Uncontrolled Keywords: Science-industry collaboration,Knowledge transfer,Innovation management,Academic engagement
Publication ISSN: 1879-2383
Last Modified: 30 May 2025 16:01
Date Deposited: 30 May 2025 11:08
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.sci ... 166497225000896 (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2025-07
Published Online Date: 2025-05-23
Accepted Date: 2025-05-13
Authors: Yström, Anna
Plantec, Quentin
Ferrary, Michel
Miller, Kristel
Rennings, Michael
Sarpong, David (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-1533-4332)

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