Determinants of University-Industry Linkage: Evidence from Dire Dawa City

Abstract

It is recognized that the importance of linkage of higher education institutions with various industries for a given country sustainable development. However, in one or another way the linkage between universities and industries seems to be very weak particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study is to investigate factors that determine the University-Industry linkage in the case of Dire Dawa city. For the sake of achieving this objective, primary data was collected through structured questionnaire from a sample of 159 academicians that were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Moreover, questionnaire was distributed to 31 companies that are selected using convenience sampling technique. Furthermore, interview for the focal person of Institute-Industry Technology Transfer office were conducted. While descriptive narrations through concurrent triangulation strategy were applied to analyze the data collected from interview, data collected using questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric model (ordinal logistic regression). Hence, access of funding, previous experience and publication were found significant factors in determining University-Industry Linkage. The result of the study indicates that training and student internship programs are the two major areas where the university is collaborating with the industries. Thus, the university has to reform its incentive mechanism for researchers. Academicians should also have to conduct demand driven and quality researches to the industries in order to gain industries’ trust. Industrialists should support the academicians those who engaged in industry related tasks by offering financial and other supports. The Institute-Industry technology transfer office should re-establish again as University-Industry Linkage office with a directorate level.

Keywords: Academicians, Industry, Linkage, knowledge transfer, University.