Technology sharing through university industry collaboration: Innovation in Malaysian manufacturing landscape

Innovation has been the key pillar of success for economic growth especially for developing countries. Malaysia is one resorting to both universities and industries to collaborate in a more engaging and concentrated fashion to accelerate innovation growth especially in the manufacturing sector. Despite the high number of university industry collaborations, the return rate of investments is low. This suggest a mismatch between the demands of both the university and industry. On that grounds, it is important to address this research gap, for it will provide insights to help industries and universities understand how academic collaborations can be intensified to spur innovation. The aim of this paper is to establish Technology Sharing as a conduit in University Industry Collaboration to intensifying innovation within the Malaysian Manufacturing Landscape. The paper is based on findings of a quantitative approach through survey questionnaire to determine a strong relationship on Technology Sharing through University Industry Collaboration as a source of innovation in the manufacturing industry. A total of 120 companies within the manufacturing landscape were survey and analysed using paired sample T-test. The mean scores were translated into percentages to amplify the magnitude of knowledge improvement and product development with Technology Sharing in manufacturing against the Business expenditure on R&D (BERD). The findings reveal, Technology Sharing through University Industry Collaboration improves knowledge within the company significantly. This generation of new knowledge is a source of innovation in product development to enhance the product/process/technology of the manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The findings also show that with Technology Sharing, companies’ absorptive capacity of new product development is significant. Improvement of knowledge translates into product development and augments innovation. This further ascertains the relationship of Technology Sharing in intensifying University Industry Collaboration to the growth of innovation within the Malaysian Manufacturing landscape

Review on the Prominence of SMEs in Malaysia and Its’ Imprint on University Industry Collaboration

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent a very large percentage in the Malaysian economy landscape and has a huge impact on University Industry Collaborations (UIC). In many developed and developing countries, UIC have clearly benefited both the industry and university on a large scale. However, Malaysia faces a different set of challenges to overcome in establishing intensified UIC. The representation of SMEs must be considered and amplified in a collaboration between industries and universities to ensure sustainability in the collaboration and continuous innovative development of both the industry and university. Herein, this paper explores the prominence of SMEs within the Malaysian economic landscape. It further examines the differences in policy direction and supply chain management for SMEs by developed economies. Based on that parameters, this paper also discusses the imprint SMEs has on UIC

University industry collaboration: The role of public universities within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape

In developed countries, universities are reputed as hub of innovation, contrarily to developing countries, universities are intermediary platforms for the diffusion of technology from large manufacturing companies to the value chain. The Malaysian Government through its blueprints emphasize that public universities have an important role in supporting innovation and technology commercialization. Despite myriad initiatives created and executed to help universities in improving their ability to innovate, the outcomes have yet to meet national expectations. This suggests a lack of awareness on the influence of universities especially in University Industry Collaboration (UIC) towards sustainable development in the innovation ecosystem. On that grounds, it is important to address this research gap, for it will provide insights to manufacturing companies and help universities themselves in being instrumental towards the intensification of UIC. The intent of this paper is to determine the role of public universities in UIC within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape. This paper is based on findings of a quantitative approach through survey questionnaire. A total of 20 public universities and 40 large manufacturing companies were surveyed and analysed using Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. For further evidence, registered intellectual property was analysed using One sample T-test. The percentage of expenditure of R&D per export value by large manufacturing companies in Malaysia was used as test value to determine the current role of public universities within the Malaysian manufacturing landscape. The findings reveal, public universities in Malaysia remain as intermediary platforms for large manufacturing companies to share their technology with the value chain. As intermediaries, public universities fortify knowledge and product development for large manufacturing companies. The findings further reveal, registered intellectual property by large manufacturing companies is a significant indicator of UIC outcomes through R&D processes. The findings of this paper add to the dimensions of empirical research on the significance of public universities in intensifying UIC. The importance of public universities in creating relevant and sustainable technology is paramount. Only when universities are solicited as hub of innovation by the manufacturing landscape, Malaysia will move up the value chain in manufacturing