HEI and SME linkages: Recommendations for the Future

Dr. David Johnoson is dreector of the barclays center for enterpreneruship at the Durham University Businessschool and Dr. Fiona Tilley is a research asssociate in the foresigght reserach Center at Durham University business School, England. ovedr the coming years ther is almst certain to be an increase in the level of interaction between higher education institutons (HEIs) and industry. the evidence for this is clear, what is les clear is what makes for effective intereactions between an institute of higher education and the industrial community. Morever, how wil this process affect the overall level of HEI provison. This paper presents a model derived from a research project whch explored current linkages between institutions of higher education and in a particular the small busines sector. out of the research three specific outcomes emerged: A model conceptualising the relationship between small firms and universities within the Uk context A strategic and operational framework to underpin the successful iimplementation and continutation of the univeristy/SME linkages. A series of recommendations to the policymaker who seeks to guide developoment specifically in the fields of small busines development and higher educations. this final area is of paramount concerns as certainly the first five yars of thwenty-first centrury will see support being proffered to a whole raangeo f hel-sme initiatives. In a view of the substantial financial nvestment involved there needs to be a significant benefit for the competitiveness of UK plc resulting from the quality of provison, coming out of the universities, directed at the ndustrial community. that theresearch model presented focuses on conceptual, strageic and policy levle, ensures that the obervation made within this paper will at least in par be gnerlised to other countries.

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