NETWORK STRUCTURE AND COOPERATION BETWEEN

UNIVERSITIES AND INDUSTRY

Prof. Ing. Tatiana Čorejová, PhD.

Prof. Ing. Ján Čorej, PhD.

Questions and problems

• Interconnecting universities with entrepreneurial environment

• Improvement of conditions for using the scientific and technical potential of young researchers

• The insufficient transfer of outcome of the Slovak universities research projects to small and medium sized enterprises

• The insufficient utilisation of the research results of universities by SMEs

The work on the problem

• to analyse in detail the current situation in business environment

• to evaluate of research and educational & training activities

• to suggest the creating suitable legislation • to create the connecting links between universities and

small and medium sized enterprises

Current Situation in Business Environment

• Four main priorities are emphasized by National Lisbon strategy – High degree of enforcement

of laws and contracts – Public institutions as a a

partner and not as a burden – Effective access to capital

market for all firms – High-quality physical

infrastructure and services in network industries

• Four interconnected principles represent the Slovak policy of the support of the entrepreneurial sector– Support of business

activities

– SMEs

– Innovations

– Support of keeping free markets

Industry – research – universities relations

• The links between research and development and the business sector are inadequate, though some technological research centers or business innovation centers were established

• Innovation intensity in Slovakia’s enterprises is generally markedly weaker than in the developed EU countries. In small EU enterprises, innovation intensity reaches 5.1 % compared to as little as 3.4 % in the SR. Innovating enterprises in the processing industries in the EU make up 51% whereas only 17% in the SR.

Industry – research – universities relations

Institutional form which • Could be stimulating

innovation processes in SME’s

• Could create better conditions for young research workers

• Could provide integrated view on whole university, faculty, departments with all its capabilities

Create relations on the network concept & clusters

• Industrial liaison offices at faculties or universities

• Agencies or centres for transfer technology

• Technology centres • Science technology parks • Entrepreneurial incubators • Spin-off firms, start-up firms

Universities

Source• Qualified personnel

• Training provider

• Technology provider

• Research partner

• Spin-off generator

• Cluster engines

• Licensing

• Etc.

Offer • Image

• Neutrality

• Networks

• State-of-the art competence

• Etc.

Network concept

• For economic and financial networks we can specify :– The nodes as members of network, for example

firms, businesses, small and medium size enterprises, universities etc

– Links as the formal (contractual) or informal connection between two members of network and

– Flows as the volume of product, information or financial resources that run from one member to another member of network

Network concept - Scheme of relations among suppliers and consumers by using networks

Logistical networks Transportation networks

(Flows are product shipments)

Information networks Knowledge transfer network

(Flows are information or knowledge)

Financial networks (Flows are sources of found, prices etc.)

Demand market

(Consumers, businesses, institutions, etc.)

Suppliers, manufactures, businesses, institutions, universities, etc.

Network concept - Example of relations or links among the different members of network

Suppliers and manufactures

Demand market - Consumers

Retailers

Universities, research institutions

Conclusion about universities role

• Potential key player in regional innovations and development

• Creation of entrepreneurial culture in higher education and research institutions

• Changes of learning and teaching (critical knowledge, mutual learning processes, integration learning and business, courses on intellectually property and exploitation of research,...)

• Professionally commercialise research results and research potential mainly young researchers results (supporting start-up companies, spin-outs, PPP projects, ...)

• Improve the innovative and entrepreneurial atmosphere in region and at universities

Thank you for your attention

Ján Čorej & Tatiana Čorejová

E-mail:

Tatiana.Corejova@fpedas.utc.sk

Jan.Corej@fstav.utc.sk