UNIVERSITY-COMPANY COOPERATION PROCESS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY PARK: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE AND PROPOSAL OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL DOI:10.5773/rai.v1i1.610

Abstract

The objective was to provide a framework that assists in understanding the phenomenon of university-industry technological cooperation in science parks. The research was of an exploratory and qualitative nature and its methodology was based on multiple case studies. As instruments of data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted, supported by documental secondary data. The contentfor analysis was obtained from interviews and documentary analysis of secondary data. Field research was conducted with representatives of companies in the technology park Tecnopuc and with university researchers within PUC-RS, and comprised of three selected processes of cooperation, following six interviews. As a result, the conceptual model application allowed for the observation that there are still elements that can be added to the taxonomy proposed in respect of drivers, barriers/facilitators and the characterization of university-industry cooperation. The results demonstrate that it is possible to recognize the importance of informal ties occurring within the space and technology park and to demonstrate the conceptual model developed as a framework to be applied in future studies on the subject of university-industry cooperation.