A Study of Cross-Sector Research Collaboration between University–Industry in Thailand: A Case Study of Kasetsart University

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study 1) the components of cross-sector collaboration in research between Kasetsart university and its partners 2) to study the relationship between the factors affecting the effectiveness of cross-sector collaboration and 3) to provide guidance for cross-sector collaboration in research between university and industry by integrating the concepts of Inter-organizational relationships, resource dependency theory and social capital. Mixed Methods Research Design (Embedded Design) was used in the research methodology. For qualitative research method use in-depth interviews by interviewing six key informants. For quantitative research method, data were collected from 234 questionnaires and use path analysis to answer research hypotheses, including direct, indirect and total effect of each factors that affecting collaborative effectiveness. 

The study founded that 1) critical factors affecting the effectiveness of collaborations include resources reciprocity, social capital, shared governance and organizational characteristics 2) the results of the relationship between factors were found that resources reciprocity has both direct and indirect effect on the collaboration effectiveness through social capital and shared governance. In addition, the organizational characteristics have only an indirect effect on collaboration effectiveness. Therefore, organizational characteristics and resources reciprocity alone are not guarantee the effectiveness of collaboration 3) Cross-sector research collaborations between universities and industries should be emphasized on the process dimension in terms of relationship and shared governance that help to transfer university's knowledge into industry to be more effective.