Determinants of Knowledge Transfer in the Process of University-Industrial Cooperation: An Empirical Study in China

This paper explores determinants of knowledge transfer in the process of university-industry cooperation. This paper constructs knowledge transfer theory model from five aspects: university transferring knowledge factors, firm receiving knowledge factors, knowledge ambiguity, mutual technology matching and interactive factors (i.e. trust and communication). To test the proposed model, we collect data from 169 research project groups in China, and conduct empirical research. Through statistical analysis, it is found that, from the view of university knowledge transfer factors, distinct positive correlative elements to knowledge transfer effect are university knowledge transfer ability and experience. From the view of firm receiving knowledge factors, distinct positive correlative element to knowledge transfer effect is firm´s knowledge receiving experience. Knowledge ambiguity is distinct negative corrective element to knowledge transfer effect, and mutual technology matching is weakly positive corrective element to knowledge transfer effect. From the view of interactive factors, trust and communication are distinct positive correlative elements to knowledge transfer effect.