Influence of university–firm governance on SMEs innovation and performance levels

The purpose of this paper is to study how different university–firm governance styles impact SMEs' innovation and performance. In this sense, we differentiate between relational governance – based on interpersonal links of trust – and contractual governance — based on codified scientific and te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Technological forecasting & social change 2017-10, Vol.123, p.250-261
Main Authors: Garcia-Perez-de-Lema, Domingo, Madrid-Guijarro, Antonia, Martin, Dominique Philippe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Business administration
Channel of transfer
Codification
Colleges & universities
Empirical analysis
Governance
Humanities and Social Sciences
Innovation
Innovations
Scientific knowledge
Small & medium sized enterprises-SME
Small business
SME
Studies
University
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Summary:The purpose of this paper is to study how different university–firm governance styles impact SMEs' innovation and performance. In this sense, we differentiate between relational governance – based on interpersonal links of trust – and contractual governance — based on codified scientific and technological knowledge. The empirical analysis is based on data gathered through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 600 Spanish SMEs. The findings show that only contractual university–firm relationships have a direct and significant effect on innovation, whereas relational activities promote and support contractual activities. The findings have managerial implications not just for firms, but also for universities. •How different university-firm governance styles impact SMEs' innovation?•We differentiate between relational governance and contractual governance.•Only contractual university-firm relationships have an impact on innovation.•Relational activities promote and support contractual activities.
ISSN:0040-1625
1873-5509
DOI:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.04.003