Leveraging Digital Platform-based Intermediation to Facilitate Knowledge and Technology Transfer Activities through University-Industry Collaboration: A Design Science Research Approach

Hakami, Maram

Leveraging Digital Platform-based Intermediation to Facilitate Knowledge and Technology Transfer Activities through University-Industry Collaboration: A Design Science Research Approach

Hakami, Maram

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2024

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hakami, Maram
dc.date.accessioned	2025-05-13T06:34:03Z
dc.date.available	2025-05-13T06:34:03Z
dc.date.issued	2024
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/187352
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	Universities play a crucial role in developing human capital for the knowledge-based economy (KBE) by fostering the creation, application, and dissemination of knowledge. Collaboration between universities and industry is essential for driving and enhancing innovation. Through University-Industry Collaboration (UIC), both universities and industries access resources and transfer knowledge to each other. Facilitating mechanisms such as University Technology Transfer Offices (UTTOs) and Knowledge Transfer Offices (UKTOs) are examples of UIC intermediation. However, a comprehensive literature review highlights shortcomings in some geographical areas, including developing regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which have received limited attention in UIC research. Notably, there is a significant lack of studies focusing on the socio-technical applications of UIC in the MENA region, which has recently demonstrated economic strengthening and an emphasis on knowledge-based activities. A closer look at the literature reveals research gaps, including how different types of intermediaries manage knowledge-based activities. This study aims to develop and validate a socio-technical facilitation mechanism, specifically a digital platform-based intermediary, to enhance knowledge and technology transfer (KT/TT) activities within the UIC setting. A comprehensive framework integrating UIC mechanisms with Social Capital (SC) theory is applied from a socio-technical perspective. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology is employed to develop the platform-based intermediary, organised into five iterative phases: problem identification, solution suggestions, development, evaluation, and conclusions. Data collection includes primary and secondary methods. Secondary data involves a comprehensive literature review and two targeted systematic reviews: one examining 60 journal articles on UIC in the MENA region and another focusing on theoretical and contextual insights from 23 UIC studies. Primary data was collected in Saudi Arabia, a leading MENA country, through 40 semi-structured expert interviews, iterative follow-ups, and a focus group for prototype feedback. A thematic analysis of the interview data discusses common themes and utilises SC theory to understand inter-organisational relationships, highlighting the role of embedded resources like trust and shared understanding in facilitating UIC activities. This analysis identified key drivers and barriers to KT/TT-UIC activities, informing a structured guidance model that defines essential design criteria for creating efficient intermediation tools, including design requirements, principles, and features. By integrating social and technical aspects, the research enhances UIC efficiency, fostering innovation, industry growth, and offering valuable insights for academics, industry professionals, and policymakers. This study contributes to UIC literature by demonstrating how digital intermediation mechanisms can overcome barriers and improve collaborative inter-organisational relationships.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2024 Maram Hakami
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/nph
dc.title	Leveraging Digital Platform-based Intermediation to Facilitate Knowledge and Technology Transfer Activities through University-Industry Collaboration: A Design Science Research Approach	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

Universities play a crucial role in developing human capital for the knowledge-based economy (KBE) by fostering the creation, application, and dissemination of knowledge. Collaboration between universities and industry is essential for driving and enhancing innovation. Through University-Industry Collaboration (UIC), both universities and industries access resources and transfer knowledge to each other. Facilitating mechanisms such as University Technology Transfer Offices (UTTOs) and Knowledge Transfer Offices (UKTOs) are examples of UIC intermediation. However, a comprehensive literature review highlights shortcomings in some geographical areas, including developing regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which have received limited attention in UIC research. Notably, there is a significant lack of studies focusing on the socio-technical applications of UIC in the MENA region, which has recently demonstrated economic strengthening and an emphasis on knowledge-based activities. A closer look at the literature reveals research gaps, including how different types of intermediaries manage knowledge-based activities. This study aims to develop and validate a socio-technical facilitation mechanism, specifically a digital platform-based intermediary, to enhance knowledge and technology transfer (KT/TT) activities within the UIC setting. A comprehensive framework integrating UIC mechanisms with Social Capital (SC) theory is applied from a socio-technical perspective. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology is employed to develop the platform-based intermediary, organised into five iterative phases: problem identification, solution suggestions, development, evaluation, and conclusions. Data collection includes primary and secondary methods. Secondary data involves a comprehensive literature review and two targeted systematic reviews: one examining 60 journal articles on UIC in the MENA region and another focusing on theoretical and contextual insights from 23 UIC studies. Primary data was collected in Saudi Arabia, a leading MENA country, through 40 semi-structured expert interviews, iterative follow-ups, and a focus group for prototype feedback. A thematic analysis of the interview data discusses common themes and utilises SC theory to understand inter-organisational relationships, highlighting the role of embedded resources like trust and shared understanding in facilitating UIC activities. This analysis identified key drivers and barriers to KT/TT-UIC activities, informing a structured guidance model that defines essential design criteria for creating efficient intermediation tools, including design requirements, principles, and features. By integrating social and technical aspects, the research enhances UIC efficiency, fostering innovation, industry growth, and offering valuable insights for academics, industry professionals, and policymakers. This study contributes to UIC literature by demonstrating how digital intermediation mechanisms can overcome barriers and improve collaborative inter-organisational relationships.

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