The impact of university-industry engagement and the rise of competency transfer partnerships

Abstract

University-industry engagement has fostered innovation, economic growth, and social transformation. This article explores the evolving landscape of university-industry collaborations, emphasizing the shift from traditional technology transfer mechanisms to structured skill and competencies transfer partnerships. These partnerships foster knowledge co-creation, capacity building, and long-term strategic engagement in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence and sustainable technologies. Furthermore, the article discusses how universities serve as central nodes connecting academic research, industry needs, and public policy initiatives through innovation ecosystems and hub-and-spoke models. Key challenges in such collaborations include flexible governance structures, aligning institutional interests, and the integration of artificial intelligence into knowledge transfer. By presenting empirical and conceptual perspectives, this special issue aims to increase understanding of the impact of university-industry interactions and provide guidance for policymakers, academics and managers in this complex yet transformative domain. Future research directions are also proposed, considering the current significant challenges in the context of university-industry engagement.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-025-10251-5
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 > Work & Organisational Psychology
Aston University (General)
Additional Information: Copyright © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025. This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms ] but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-025-10251-5
Uncontrolled Keywords: University-industry engagement. Technology transfer. Human capital development. Innovation ecosystem. Artificial intelligence. Sustainable technologies,Business and International Management,Accounting,General Engineering
Publication ISSN: 0892-9912
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2025 13:55
Date Deposited: 31 Jul 2025 13:55
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
https://link.sp ... 961-025-10251-5 (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2025-06-17
Accepted Date: 2025-05-29
Authors: Sarpong, David (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-1533-4332)
Meissner, Dirk
Moraes, Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de
Vismara, Silvio

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Version: Accepted Version

Access Restriction: Restricted to Repository staff only until 17 June 2026.

License: Creative Commons Attribution


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