Exploring Forms of Academic Engagement for MNEs in the Russian IT Industry (Part II. University-Industry Cooperation Models, EMC Corporation Case Study)

In this article, the benefits and forms of university-industry cooperation are analyzed, and the role of academic engagement for MNEs is discussed in relation to the decision to internationalize R&D in host countries. Different forms of academic engagement are reviewed on the examples from the Russian IT industry, and a classification of cooperation models is proposed, which aims at explicating and simplifying managerial decision-making with regard to choosing an appropriate form of university-industry cooperation The paper uses both secondary and primary sources of information. For the first part of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted among managers of academic engagement programs between MNEs operating in the IT industry and Russian universities. Secondary data is used to sort existing practices according to the proposed categorization of university-industry forms of cooperation. Finally, the case of Dell EMC academic engagement in Russia is described to support the proposed categorization and depict directions of future studies. As a result, the benefits of academic engagement were aligned with the challenges, which MNEs face as they design their R&D strategies and consider between localization and internationalization. A categorization of university-industry cooperation models has been established as forms of such partnerships were distinguished and described. The research is exploring important challenges for MNEs in a very specific and understudied aspect of university-industry cooperation. The results of the paper may be used both by other researchers and practitioners, who are interested in the Russian market, or are choosing among different forms of collaboration with universities

Keywords: university-industry cooperation, MNEs, academic engagement, R and D strategies

References

1. F. Lind, A. Styhre, L. Aaboen (2013). Exploring university–industry collaboration in research centers European//Journal of Innovation Management. Vol. 16. No. 1. P. 70-91.

5. Ю. В. Торкунова. Инновационный процесс как сетевое взаимодействие вуза и производственного комплекса//Фундаментальные исследования. Т. 6. № 6. 2014. С. 1286-1289.

6. С. М. Дмитриев, Т. И. Ермакова, Е. Г. Ивашкин. Опыт работы технического университета с базовыми кафедрами//Высшее образование в России. № 2. 2014. C. 73-81.

11. K. A. Bohley (2010). Universities becoming the outsourcing solution American//Journal of Business Education. Vol. 3. No. 6. P. 1.

14. J. Lave, E. Wenger (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge university press.

15. P. Iskanius, I. Pohjola (2016). Leveraging communities of practice in university–industry collaboration: a case study on Arctic research//International Journal of Business Innovation and Research. Vol. 10. No. 2-3. P. 283-299.

17. B. Clarysse, M. Wright, A. Lockett, E. Van de Velde, A. Vohora (2005). Spinning out new ventures: a typology of incubation strategies from European research institutions//Journal of Business venturing. Vol. 20. No. 2. P. 183-216.

22. R. G. Strongin, G. A. Maximov (2005). Experience of integration of education and science//Higher education in Russia. Vol. 1. P. 3-14.

26. M. Allen (2002). The corporate university handbook: Designing managing and growing a successful program//AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.

29. D. B. Audretsch, M. P. Feldman (2004). Knowledge spillovers and the geography of innovation//Handbook of regional and urban economics. Vol. 4. P. 2713-2739.

30. T. Thune, M. Gulbrandsen (2014). Dynamics of collaboration in university–industry partnerships: do initial conditions explain development patterns?//The Journal of Technology Transfer. Vol. 39. No. 6. P. 977-993.

31. J. G. Thursby, M. C. Thursby (2006). Here or There? a survey of factors in multinational R&D location: report to the Government/University/Industry research roundtable A Survey of Factors in Multinational R&D Location: Report to the Government/University/Industry Research Roundtable (December 1 2006). Kauffman Foundation Large Research Projects Research.

36. L. Bstieler, M. Hemmert, G. Barczak (2015). Trust Formation in University–Industry Collaborations in the US Biotechnology Industry: IP Policies Shared Governance and Champions//Journal of Product Innovation Management. Vol. 32. No. 1. P. 111-121.

37. R. Fontana, A. Geuna, M. Matt (2006). Factors affecting university–industry R&D projects: The importance of searching screening and signaling//Research policy. Vol. 35. No. 2. P. 309-323.

38. W. M. Cohen, R. R. Nelson, J. P. Walsh (2000). Protecting their intellectual assets: Appropriability conditions and why US manufacturing firms patent (or not). No. w7552. National Bureau of Economic Research.

39. A. Kouznetsov (2009). Country conditions in emerging markets and their effects on entry mode decisions of multinational manufacturing enterprises: Evidence from Russia//International Journal of Emerging Markets. Vol. 4. No. 4. P. 375-388.