Why Should University and Business Cooperate? A Discussion of Advantages and Disadvantages

The relation between universities and business has been in the public debate for some time. Many authors (Perkmann, 2007, Bonaccorsi and Piccaluga, 1994, Blumenthal et al., 1996, Webster, 1994, Urayaa, 2010, Etzkowitz, 2008) emphasize the new role of universities, their influence in the economy and society, the need for a pro-active approach, for strategic thinking when drawing the long-term plans. Universities evolve now from the basic functions of teaching and research to a third one, commercialization where the partnership with the industry is the most important element. The university business cooperation includes many elements from human resources involved (academic staff, students, company employees), to intellectual property rights, legal aspects in contracts, funding start-ups and spin-offs to communication and promotion of the relationship and common projects. In this paper, we present the perspectives of the industries and universities about this institutional cooperation and we focus on the advantages and disadvantages for both parts.