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University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis

Received: 12 August 2021     Accepted: 30 August 2021     Published: 16 September 2021
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Abstract

During the last three decades, university–industry interaction (U–I) has appeared as a specific field of study. In this context, research which study benefits that these relationships can bring to university remain insufficiently explored. Specifically, studies on developing countries remain fewer. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of interactions by exploring benefits that firms can bring to university from a firm level of analysis. The importance of such relations has been discussed in many studies but studying benefits from a firm level are still poor, especially in African context. The methodology includes a qualitative research based on the use of content analysis. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted within four Tunisian pharmaceutical firms. The results show similarities between the firms. Benefits include practical knowledge transfer, learning, joint research, accessing laboratory equipment and infrastructure, training opportunities, hiring graduates or postgraduates. But benefits don’t include securing funds because of the limited pharmaceutical firms’ resources. Moreover, interaction is concentrated in the short term and in the trainee and researchers’ level. This study also indicates that, like other African countries, U-I relations should be supported by political policy. Such policies contribute to involve legislation revision, implementing support mechanisms that enhance U–I interaction and stimulate connections between universities and firms.

Published in Science Journal of Business and Management (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21
Page(s) 231-236
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

U-I interaction, Benefits, African Countries

References
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  • APA Style

    Najeh Bouraoui. (2021). University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis. Science Journal of Business and Management, 9(3), 231-236. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21

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    ACS Style

    Najeh Bouraoui. University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis. Sci. J. Bus. Manag. 2021, 9(3), 231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21

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    AMA Style

    Najeh Bouraoui. University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis. Sci J Bus Manag. 2021;9(3):231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21,
      author = {Najeh Bouraoui},
      title = {University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis},
      journal = {Science Journal of Business and Management},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {231-236},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20210903.21},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjbm.20210903.21},
      abstract = {During the last three decades, university–industry interaction (U–I) has appeared as a specific field of study. In this context, research which study benefits that these relationships can bring to university remain insufficiently explored. Specifically, studies on developing countries remain fewer. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of interactions by exploring benefits that firms can bring to university from a firm level of analysis. The importance of such relations has been discussed in many studies but studying benefits from a firm level are still poor, especially in African context. The methodology includes a qualitative research based on the use of content analysis. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted within four Tunisian pharmaceutical firms. The results show similarities between the firms. Benefits include practical knowledge transfer, learning, joint research, accessing laboratory equipment and infrastructure, training opportunities, hiring graduates or postgraduates. But benefits don’t include securing funds because of the limited pharmaceutical firms’ resources. Moreover, interaction is concentrated in the short term and in the trainee and researchers’ level. This study also indicates that, like other African countries, U-I relations should be supported by political policy. Such policies contribute to involve legislation revision, implementing support mechanisms that enhance U–I interaction and stimulate connections between universities and firms.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    T1  - University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis
    AU  - Najeh Bouraoui
    Y1  - 2021/09/16
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    T2  - Science Journal of Business and Management
    JF  - Science Journal of Business and Management
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    AB  - During the last three decades, university–industry interaction (U–I) has appeared as a specific field of study. In this context, research which study benefits that these relationships can bring to university remain insufficiently explored. Specifically, studies on developing countries remain fewer. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of interactions by exploring benefits that firms can bring to university from a firm level of analysis. The importance of such relations has been discussed in many studies but studying benefits from a firm level are still poor, especially in African context. The methodology includes a qualitative research based on the use of content analysis. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted within four Tunisian pharmaceutical firms. The results show similarities between the firms. Benefits include practical knowledge transfer, learning, joint research, accessing laboratory equipment and infrastructure, training opportunities, hiring graduates or postgraduates. But benefits don’t include securing funds because of the limited pharmaceutical firms’ resources. Moreover, interaction is concentrated in the short term and in the trainee and researchers’ level. This study also indicates that, like other African countries, U-I relations should be supported by political policy. Such policies contribute to involve legislation revision, implementing support mechanisms that enhance U–I interaction and stimulate connections between universities and firms.
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Author Information
  • Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

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