STI Policy Review

Science & Technology Policy Institute (과학기술정책연구원)
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Firm Characteristics and Modes of University-Industry Collaboration: Cases of Japan and Thailand

  • Pittayasophon, Siriporn (Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office) ;
  • Intarakumnerd, Patarapong (Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) ;
  • Sumikura, Koichi (Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) ;
  • Saito, Hiromi (Faculty of Law and Economics, Chiba University) ;
  • Suzuki, Jun (Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)
  • Published : 2016.06.30
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Abstract

Despite the importance of university-industry collaboration, issues pertaining to the characteristics of collaborating firms, their modes of interaction, and the relationship between these modes and outcomes are not well-researched. The impact of country's development on these issues is also unclear. This case study examines Japan and Thailand-respectively representing developed and developing countries-and features the following key findings: 1) the characteristics of firms affect modes, with large Japanese firms being more collaborative with universities, whereas Thai SMEs significantly collaborate more with universities; 2) the relationship between modes in Thai firms is stronger than those of Japanese firms because in Thailand, perhaps due to weak technological capacity, R&D collaboration is conducted alongside university consultancy services; and 3) in Japan, R&D and human resource development collaboration lead to product innovation, whereas different outcomes are expected from different modes in Thailand. Apparently, trivial informal collaborations do have significant impact on innovation.

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References

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