The transfer of knowledge between universities and industry has received considerable
attention throughout the last 20 years. The study of knowledge and its relationship to
commercial advantage and innovation is popular in management research. The majority
of this research considers knowledge transfer at a society or company level, however,
there is an absence of research that focuses at a project level and considers the day-today
practices involved in transferring knowledge, back and forth, between universities and
commercial organisations.
This research focuses on this aspect of knowledge transfer by undertaking a range of
theory-building activities to develop a new understanding of the practice of transferring
knowledge in this context. Adopting an inductive methodological approach, aligned with a
â\u80\u98social constructivistâ\u80\u99 paradigm, the research develops a number of questions from the
literature. The questions are then explored by reference to experienced participants from
â\u80\u98realâ\u80\u99 knowledge transfer projects, using participant enquiry methods. A number of
practical frameworks are proposed. The appropriateness of these is further explored using
participant interaction techniques â\u80\u93 where research interventions are developed and
applied in â\u80\u98liveâ\u80\u99 knowledge transfer projects.
The results suggest that by raising participantâ\u80\u99s awareness of the inherent properties of
knowledge, the outcomes of knowledge transfer projects may be strengthened. By
focussing on standardised frameworks for interaction and suggesting practical activities
that can be carried out before and during knowledge transfer projects, a focus can be
achieved on improving the outcomes of the projects respectively. The wider implication of
this work could be in the development of policy interventions, practical management
guidelines and knowledge transfer â\u80\u98best practiceâ\u80\u99. In addition, the practical tools and
techniques developed could also form the basis for further evaluative research. This could
be used to compare organisationsâ\u80\u99 competences and services, which could, in turn, advise
the strategies of industrial organisations, universities and knowledge transfer
intermediaries