SMEs as cutting-edge research utilizers: the strategies, motivations, and barriers of forerunners
基于芬兰中小企业调查数据，识别出四种利用前沿研究的策略，发现企业更看重知识资本积累而非商业应用，并关注研究团队领域、研究者特质和学术声誉。
Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore how SMEs utilize scientific research as part of university–industry collaboration. The study focuses on a less explored phenomenon—the role of scientific research in university–industry collaboration, particularly regarding SMEs and their engagement with cutting-edge research. While university–industry collaboration has been extensively studied, less attention has been given to how SMEs interact with scientific research: What are the motivations to interact with scientific research and what kinds of strategies do they pursue? Data collected from Finnish SMEs through a survey indicate that SMEs value research produced by academic institutions and are interested in its large-scale utilization for various purposes. The findings based on both quantitative cluster analysis and qualitative content analysis highlight that rather than solely focusing on commercial applications, SMEs perceive the primary benefit of research utilization to be the development of knowledge capital. The study identifies four distinct SME strategies for research utilization—(1) focused utilization of cutting-edge research, (2) utilization of cutting-edge research trends, (3) utilization of research as an aid to company development, and (4) utilization of research as a company resource. The results of the study also show that SMEs interested in the utilization of cutting-edge research consider the field of the research group, the characteristics of individual researchers, and the academic reputation of the research group or its members more important. This study contributes to university–industry collaboration and knowledge transfer theories by offering insights into SMEs’ engagement with scientific research.