Networks, SMEs, and the University

Reviews / Votes

'Fostering university-industry collaboration has become an important concern for regional policymakers over recent decades in the context of the rise of systemic approaches to innovation and the evolution of university roles to integrate a "third mission" alongside their teaching and research functions. In focusing speci?cally on the relationship between universities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this book by Andrew Johnston and Rob Huggins addresses a subset of university-industry collaboration that is underrepresented in the existing literature, but of key policy importance given the predominance of SMEs in regional economies. Indeed, in the context of societal challenges related to green, digital and demographic transitions that require more sophisticated cooperation within territorial innovation systems, there is a pressing need to understand the speci?c characteristics of effective collaborative relationships between academia and SMEs. The book is informed by empirical analysis that is in many ways speci?c to the UK context, and will therefore be of special interest to UK academics and policymakers.' -- James R. Wilson, Regional Studies Journal 'This is a much needed book on university-industry collaboration. Compellingly, it is rooted in research on this topic, but it also develops the practical implications of how university-industry collaboration should be approached. A must-read for both researchers and practitioners in university-industry collaboration and technology transfer.' -- - Markus Perkmann, Imperial College London, UK 'This detailed study of university industry links focuses on the ways in which a diverse set of SMEs collaborate with universities. Often such studies emphasise particular technology sectors or high tech regions, but this book is refreshing in its study of varied SMEs across the UK, and draws out implications for all kinds of universities and places. Johnston and Huggins bring a detailed insight into university-industry links and the evolution of UK policy to develop important findings on the importance of proximity in future policy.' -- - David Charles, Northumbria University, UK 'This important new book highlights how SMEs working in tandem with universities can deliver an innovative impact way beyond their size. Through their penetrating analysis, Johnston and Huggins highlight a new strategy for cities and regions to ignite the innovative potential of SMEs through fostering key relationships with universities.' -- - David B. Audretsch, Indiana University, US