Dificultades para la cooperación universidad-empresa: el caso de Bizkaia

Abstract

There is an important discussion in the realm of university mission about the university role in the knowledge production system, affecting, among other things, the relations hold by the university with other organizations, in special with firms. It seems there is a tendency to accept progressively the university extends their mission to solve business problems in a short and mid terms. Day by day it is more accepted that firm � university relations (FUR) yields social benefits increasing the economic importance of the scientific knowledge production. The current technological environment makes necessary to strength FUR, specially in SME. Such relations can be held in terms of transference of knowledge or in terms of knowledge exchange. In the theoretical framework it is reviewed the different approaches in the literature dealing with FUR, stressing the positive aspects from this kind of relation. However, it seems to be agreement in considering these relations insufficient. In this work we analyze deeply some difficulties underlying in these relations, using the Triple Helix Model as framework. The empirical analysis has roots in a qualitative research developed in Biscay, in terms of problems and difficulties to held FUR. Managers and science technicians have been interviewed. Results cast a real vision about the obstacles to overcome to get an effective FUR. Among others, can be seen a direct relation between entrepreneur spirit and the quality of the FUR. Since the systematization of the bulk of problems and difficulties identified, it is possible to get general conclusions applicable to similar contexts, as well as a research agenda to futures works in this realm.