University-industry collaboration for sustainable development : the case of innovation intermediaries

Abstract

There are a number of theoretical reasons that suggest that intermediary organisations that support university-industry collaboration are a good tool for promoting sustainable innovation. However, not much attention has been paid to the drivers of success and sustainability for such organisations. This article fills this gap using a longitudinal multiple-case study of three intermediaries, created as support organisations to promote public-private collaboration intended to accomplish synergies between governmental interests, academic institutions and industry, to manage sustainable innovation projects. Understanding existing theories as complementary and defining an integrated approach to structure the analysis, we analyse how intermediaries are a means for transaction cost reduction and access to resources and capabilities to fulfil the needs of industry and simultaneously meet the sustainable development goals of the public agents involved. In this way, intermediaries prove to be a useful tool to reconcile both economic and social goals.