ISSN: 2225-8329
Open access
The importance of fostering strong Industry-University-Research (IUR) collaboration is increasingly recognized as a critical driver of regional innovation, economic development, and talent cultivation. This study focuses on the underdeveloped Gansu Province, where IUR collaboration faces both significant challenges and unique opportunities. The need to examine IUR collaboration in Gansu is particularly pressing due to its potential to bridge gaps between academic research, industry demands, and government policy, thereby improving the region’s economic competitiveness and innovation capacity. Through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from universities, enterprises, and government departments, this research systematically explores the key challenges and opportunities within Gansu’s IUR collaboration landscape, utilizing NVivo software for content analysis. The study finds that major challenges include: a lack of diverse collaboration models, over-reliance on personal connections for partnerships, bottlenecks in commercializing research, and limited access to innovation resources. These factors hinder the formation of stable, long-term partnerships. Conversely, the study identifies government policies and talent development initiatives as significant opportunities to enhance IUR collaboration. Moreover, the localization of technological projects can align innovation with regional needs, improving project feasibility and competitiveness. By examining these challenges and opportunities, this study contributes valuable insights into refining collaboration mechanisms in Gansu and similar underdeveloped regions. It provides practical recommendations for policymakers, universities, and enterprises on how to optimize collaboration, foster innovation, and drive regional development through effective IUR partnerships.
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