Knowledge transfer of university-industry partnership in Malaysian Technical University: Preliminary findings

Universities are considered knowledge intensive organizations whereby the primary business of universities is knowledge generation, dissemination, integration and utilization. Although past research focused on university-private knowledge transfer is quite extensive, the majority of the literature is based on western academic institutions and policies. Due to the lack of research on knowledge transfer among Malaysian universities specifically technical universities, this study will affect the development of universities R&D. Therefore, the study has identified three main factors influence knowledge transfer in universities; coordination factor, partner attributes and relationship factor. Empirical studies were conducted at a technical university in Malaysia with a total sample size of 30 respondents consists of academic staff, researchers and postgraduate students who receive knowledge transfer grant sponsored by the Ministry of Education Malaysia. Researchers employed paper-based survey methods involving academic lectures. With the aid of inferential statistics, preliminary findings showed that all selected factors have a positive effect on knowledge transfer. Hence, this study will help the university identify the elements that should be evaluated before undertaking activities such as R&D and the MOU with the industry. Researchers plan to expand the study to another three technical universities. This paper ends with the conclusions and recommendations.