https://www.mdu.se/

Purpose: Literature on knowledge transfer has mainly studied this topic at macro level. The purpose of this research is to explore the university's role in the university-to-industry knowledge transfer on a micro level. This study is focused on the role played by Mälardalen University (MU) in the knowledge transfer to local industry by focusing on the university practices accomplished to this end. The research question is: Through which practices does Mälardalen University take part in the university-to-industry knowledge transfer?

Methodology/Approach:

The case study is about MU in Sweden, in Västerås and Eskilstuna campuses. A qualitative study approach was conducted to explore the research question and sub-questions. With the use of semi-structured interviews primary data was collected. Information in the literature review and theoretical framework chapters were collected by drawing from the databases: ‘ABI/inform’ and ‘Google Scholar’.

Findings/conclusion:

Based on the data collection, it can be concluded that the learning processes at MU rely on (experiential) ‘work and project-based-learning’ practices. These processes provide students with the knowledge demanded by the industry. The close collaboration between university and industry improves the preparation of students entering the job market in several ways. This research highlights which successful practices may be implemented at university level to promote the knowledge transfer to industry while supporting learning processes, particularly effective for engineering/nursing students. It also provides us with additional findings on the importance of co-creation practices in the development and innovation of knowledge creation.

Limitations:

A limitation of this study is the selective focus on one university. Another limitation is that the industrial perspective is excluded. However, such a limitation sheds light on a focus for possible future research.