Motivational Factors of Companies that Establish Cooperation with Institutes of Science and Technology

Abstract

Technological innovation is deemed strategic for organizations and nations to achieve and sustain competitive advantage. One of the most effective means for companies to achieve these innovations is through the relationship with universities. Thus, this study aimed to identify the main factors that motivate companies to establish this partnership. Hence, a descriptive study was elaborated, in which respondents are companies that have some level of cooperation with universities and institutes of science and technology. The results obtained show that the main reasons are, according to their importance: (1) to strengthen the technology, (2) to search for new sources of creativity, (3) to obtain expertise in market-oriented technologies, (4) to acquire new technologies; (5) to reach skilled labor, (6) to train their human resources, and (7) to develop new products. Furthermore, this study found that the less important factors are related to social reasons; this finding deserves further investigation in future studies.

Keywords

• Cooperação universidade-empresa. Inovação tecnológica.