Journal of Knowledge-based Innovation in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues of integrating R&D globalization, national innovation system, university-industry (U-I) knowledge transfer, and international U-I collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach – A framework for research on internationalization of U-I collaboration is proposed and the process of international U-I collaboration could be categorized Processes A (including A1-A2-A3), B, C and D. The framework is applied to explore the process and contribution of international U-I collaboration in China based on the cases studies of Philips' Brainbridge program and institute for the study of the ancient world (ISAW) international cooperation.

Findings – Processes A and B are confirmed in this research. Through the international U-I collaboration, foreign universities contribute to the development of innovative capabilities of industries in China, while the foreign companies could play roles in the China's national innovation system. The research suggests that the international U-I collaboration could be used as a bridge to connect strategies of R&D globalization to the improvement of national innovation system. With the internationalization of U-I collaboration, the national innovation system would be developing to global innovation system. Moreover, this paper provides a method of technological internationalization and practical suggestions to the management of U-I collaboration.

Research limitations/implications – More empirical research is necessary to further examine this framework.

Originality/value – This paper provides a framework to analyse the process of international U-I collaboration. Additionally, it enriches the research on R&D globalization from the industrial fields to the academics and the research on national innovation system. The findings will contribute to the practice and diffusion of international U-I collaboration from the industrial and governmental levels.