University knowledge transfer and innovation performance in firms: The Ghanaian experience

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Author
Abdulai, Abdul-Fatahi
Murphy, Lyndon
Thomas, Brychan
Date
2019-04-23Acceptance date
2019-04-22
Type
Article
Publisher
World Scientific Publishing
ISSN
1757-5877
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This paper examines the association between university–industry collaboration and firm innovation performance, and the effect of informal mechanisms of knowledge transfer on such an association, using data from a survey of 245 firms in Ghana and employing partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results are of significant relevance to the business community and policy-makers in Ghana and West African. We find that while university–industry collaboration is positively related to innovation performance in firms, informal mechanisms of university knowledge transfer do not and negatively moderate the positive association between university–industry collaboration and innovation performance in firms. It is also found that to facilitate innovation outcomes, formal, legal binding contracts are required. The study recommends that university knowledge generation and innovation policies in Ghana encourage formal collaboration between knowledge exchange actors. It is also suggested that improvements need to be made to the efficacy of intellectual property legislation in Ghana.
Journal/conference proceeding
International Journal of Innovation Management;
Citation
ABDULAI, A.F., MURPHY, L. and THOMAS, B. (2019) 'University knowledge transfer and innovation performance in firms: The Ghanaian experience', International Journal of Innovation Management, p.2050023. DOI: 10.1142/S1363919620500231.
Description
Article published in International Journal of Innovation Management on 23 April 2019, available at: https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919620500231.
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
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