Study of the factors facilitating or hindering collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises and universities in research, development, and innovation: Application to Wallonia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55578/jedip.2609.013Keywords:
University–SME collaboration, Research, Development and Innovation (RDI), Wallonia, Collaborative innovation, Barriers and drivers, Regional ecosystemAbstract
This study examines the factors facilitating and hindering collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities in research, development, and innovation (RDI), with a focus on Wallonia. Based on a literature review and a survey of 26 SMEs and three participating universities, the study identifies key collaboration factors, barriers, and outcomes. SME responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and exploratory bivariate tests, while university responses were analyzed descriptively.
The findings indicate that internal RDI expertise, prior experience, management commitment, access to funding, collaboration networks, public funding, and external financial support are among the factors associated with collaboration experience. Major barriers include administrative complexity, limited resources, and divergence between academic research and SME needs. Product and service improvement is the only collaboration outcome showing a statistically significant exploratory association with collaboration experience. Geographical proximity and alignment between partners did not reach conventional statistical significance. The findings also highlight coordination challenges within the Walloon innovation ecosystem.
The study suggests strengthening coordination among existing innovation-support structures, improving SME access to academic expertise and funding, and developing proportionate mechanisms for monitoring collaboration outcomes. Given the small and unbalanced sample, the findings should be interpreted as exploratory rather than causal or generalizable.
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The data underlying this study were collected through structured questionnaires administered to SMEs and universities in Wallonia.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lavie Arsène Mango Itulamya (Author)
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